For Character

ADMINISTRATOR STANDARDS FOR

CHARACTER EDUCATION

STANDARD 1:

Administrators must actively demonstrate a commitment to be the visible leaders at the district or school level in promoting the principles of the "Six Pillars of Character" - Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.

STANDARD 2:

Administrators need to understand the importance of the responsibility they have in promoting the core ethical values of the "Six Pillars of Character." They should strive, along with teachers, to eliminate adult and student behaviors that are antithetical to the qualities and traits associated with good character.

STANDARD 3:

Administrators must be committed to creating a school-learning environment that supports the "Six Pillars of Character" to ensure the community of learners are prepared for living a life based upon character.

STANDARD 4:

Administrators must effectively communicate to teachers, students and parents the benefits of integrating the "Six Pillars of Character" into the life of a school.

STANDARD 5:

Administrators must promote a learning environment allowing for the development of character lessons that will provide positive value experiences as a part of the schools' curricular program.

STANDARD 6:

Administrators must work to instill the "Six Pillars of Character" not only in the classrooms of the schools but to strive and apply the core ethical values as a framework for all co-curricular and extra-curricular school experiences.

STANDARD 7:

Administrators must work with teachers and other support staff to engage all students in ethical decision-making practices, critical inquiry, and higher-order thinking skills as they pursue ethical dilemmas that are included in the school curriculum, media, and through real-life experiences.

STANDARD 8:

Administrators must be willing to ensure professional development opportunities exist for teachers and school support staff to be trained in moving character education from words to action.

STANDARD 9:

Administrators must understand that parents have the primary responsibility as a child's first and foremost character educators. Realizing that the community, peer groups, and the media have a major influence on the character development of the young, administrators will focus attention on forming collaborative partnerships between home, school and the community that welcome and involve others in character development efforts of the district or school.

STANDARD 10:

Administrators must promote the benefits of involving students in the development of a district or school character education program by providing opportunities for student leadership through action-based experiences that encourage the application of the core ethical values found in the "Six Pillars of Character."