This article contains four parts. It begins with a description of the Child Development Project, a research project aimed at discovering ways to integrate a focus on students' social and moral development in elementary schools. Then we describe the project's mixed results in helping teachers successfully apply its approach to classroom management,…

Previous research has found that when children engage in social and moral transgressions, they take steps to either remedy or explain their behavior. However, no prior systematic investigation has examined the strategies children employ to 'correct' their behavior in future situations. The present study employed a domain theory lens to investigate…

As the population of Latinx students grows in U.S. public schools and our nation seeks to address systemic inequities, racism, and xenophobia, this counternarrative provides inspiration to those wishing to reinvigorate schools and build a more caring and just world. "Authentic Cariño" documents the innovative practices, successes, and…

Eleven teachers and 254 urban middle-school students comprised the sample of this study examining the social and moral development outcomes of the integration of social cognitive domain theory within regular classroom instruction. Participating teachers were trained to construct and implement history lessons that stimulated students' moral…

Oakland, California's Developmental Studies Center has identified "sense of community" in school as a pivotal condition for children's ethical, social, moral, and academic development. Practices such as class meetings, collaborative learning, and buddies will not build community unless designed to meet that goal. Academic learning is…

The Child Development Project (CDP) was designed to enhance the development of prosocial characteristics in school children in kindergarten through sixth grade. It was developed and evaluated in a school district (San Ramon) in the San Francisco, California area. The features of the program include: (1) an instructional approach that enhances…

Examines the long-time commitment and involvement of a university and a local chapter of Phi Delta Kappa to encourage and recognize character education in local schools. Describes a public awards ceremony and includes the criteria for the values and character recognition award. Provides a list of the winning schools. (MJP)

Reprints the California State Board of Education's resolution to endorse Character Counts! Week. Asserts that all educators are obliged to awaken youth to the moral and ethical values that build a fundamental strength of character. Identifies elements of character that are embedded in all curriculum frameworks. (MJP)

Examines the planning, implementation, and mission of the Clearinghouse for Character Education at California State University, Fresno. Materials collected at the Clearinghouse include samples of model programs, research, contacts for program development, and instructional resources for teachers, schools, and districts interested in character…

Profiles the Community of Caring, a character education program in California that has been in existence for 12 years. Explicates some of the qualities that mark the program as a success. These include longevity, acceptability, comprehensiveness, evaluation, academic improvement, cost-effectiveness, family/community involvement, and professional…

Describes a curriculum-embedded focus for character education. Outlines a series of character-related topics (justice, responsibility, civic virtue) and combines them with corresponding social studies topics and activities (reviewing the origins of self-government, interviewing community elders) for each grade K-12. Includes reading list and…

Relates how character education can be quickly incorporated into the curriculum when teachers, the school, and the community share mutual goals and work as a team. Outlines some of the techniques used such as devoting each month to a specific character attribute and sending home newsletters to keep parents informed. (MJP)

Recounts the successes of Project HAWK (Habitat Alliance and Wildlife Keepers) in Northern California. HAWK consists of various at-risk students brought together for a service learning project constructing and maintaining community gardens. Discusses how the garden was related to traditional curriculum instruction and provides information for…

Describes the focus and activities of the schools involved in California's "Partnerships in Character Education" project. In its third year, the pilot project has developed five separate school programs. Team members assess the environment of the school and design a program incorporating adult modeling and curriculum integration. (MJP)

Provides a brief historical background for the current character education movement. Identifies mandates and support for character education in California's schools and shares implications of the character education movement for California teachers. Includes a list of California's Standards for the Teaching Profession regarding character…