CHARACTER COUNTS!SM

CHARACTER COUNTS!SM

What isWhat is

it all it all

about?about?

Purpose of the Curriculum

Fortify the lives of America’s Youth with ethical values called the “Six Pillars of Character.”

These values transcend race, creed, politics, gender and wealth.

Six Pillars of Character

Six Pillars of Character

Trustworthiness

RespectResponsibilityFairnessCaringCitizenship

Birth of Character Counts!

Birth of Character Counts!

In 1992 the Josephson Institute of Ethics released a report based on a survey of 9,000 high school and college aged youth that found cheating, lying, stealing, and drunken driving were commonplace.

More Recently...More Recently...

In 1998 survey of 20,000 Middle and High Schoolers they reported that… Almost 50% Steal 70% Cheat 92% Lie to their Parents

Aspen Declaration!

Aspen Declaration!

The Institute convened a conference of educators, ethicists and nonprofit leaders in Aspen, Colorado to share ideas on character development and ways to work together to educate youth.

In Aspen a Declaration was established and the pillars of character developed.

Aspen Declaration!

Aspen Declaration!

“Character education is, first and foremost, an obligation of families and faith communities, but schools and youth-service organizations also have responsibility to help develop the character of young people.”

“Character education is, first and foremost, an obligation of families and faith communities, but schools and youth-service organizations also have responsibility to help develop the character of young people.”

CHARACTER COUNTS!SM the Program

CHARACTER COUNTS!SM the Program

In 1993 the CHARACTER COUNTS!SM Coalition was organized to develop a “common” language of Character.

Peggy Adkins, currently with Tennessee Cooperative Extension Service, developed the curriculum, “Exercising Character” based on the Six Pillars of Character.

What is the Josephson Institute?

What is the Josephson Institute?

A public -benefit, nonpartisan, nonprofit membership organization founded by Michael Josephson.

Designed to improve the ethical quality of society by advocating principled reasoning and ethical decision making.

CHARACTER COUNTS!sm is a project of the Institute.

How large is the Coalition?

How large is the Coalition?

The coalition is nation-wide.300+ member organizations strong.Over 40 states and 500

municipalities, school districts and business groups have endorsed CHARACTER COUNTS!SM

CHARACTER COUNTS!SM is ...

CHARACTER COUNTS!SM is ...

A Framework, Common LanguageNation’s Most widely used Character

Development FrameworkBased on Shared Beliefs and

Consensus ValuesBased on Six Pillars of Character

CHARACTER COUNTS!SM is not ...

Political (No Political Agenda)ReligiousDesigned to Be an Add On

ProgramA Quick Fix

Let’s Look at the Research

Let’s Look at the Research

Holistic Approach Valued Based Taught Across the

Curriculum Supported by

Parents, and Community

Supported by Media

Together...Together..."Kids are 27% of our

population but 100% of our

future.Which way they go

depends on us”

Michael Josephson, CHARACTER COUNTS!sm

Coalition