SEARCH SITE
VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL
- Code of Virginia
- Virginia Administrative Code
- Constitution of Virginia
- Charters
- Authorities
- Compacts
- Uncodified Acts
- RIS Users (account required)
SEARCHABLE DATABASES
- Bills & Resolutions
session legislation - Bill Summaries
session summaries - Reports to the General Assembly
House and Senate documents - Legislative Liaisons
State agency contacts
ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
2012 SESSION
12104029DBe it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 22.1-208.01 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 22.1-208.01. Character education required.
A. Each school board shall establish,
within its existing programs, a character education program
in its schools, which may occur
during the regular school year, during the summer in a youth development academy offered by the school
division, or both. The Department of
Education shall develop curricular guidelines for school divisions to use in
establishing a character education program through a summer youth
development academy. The
purpose of the character education program shall be to instill in students
civic virtues and personal character traits so as to improve the learning
environment, promote student achievement, reduce disciplinary problems, and
develop civic-minded students of high character. The components of each program
shall be developed in cooperation with the students, their parents, and the
community at large. The basic character traits taught may include (i)
trustworthiness, including honesty, integrity, reliability, and loyalty; (ii)
respect, including the precepts of the Golden Rule, tolerance, and courtesy;
(iii) responsibility, including hard work, economic self-reliance,
accountability, diligence, perseverance, and self-control; (iv) fairness,
including justice, consequences of bad behavior, principles of
nondiscrimination, and freedom from prejudice; (v) caring, including kindness,
empathy, compassion, consideration, generosity, and charity; and (vi)
citizenship, including patriotism, the Pledge of Allegiance, respect for the
American flag, concern for the common good, respect for authority and the law,
and community-mindedness.
Classroom instruction may be used to supplement a character education program; however, each program shall be interwoven into the school procedures and environment and structured to instruct primarily through example, illustration, and participation, in such a way as to complement the Standards of Learning. The program shall also address the inappropriateness of bullying, as defined in the Student Conduct Policy Guidelines adopted by the Board of Education pursuant to § 22.1-279.6.
This provision is intended to educate students regarding those core civic values and virtues which are efficacious to civilized society and are common to the diverse social, cultural, and religious groups of the Commonwealth. Consistent with this purpose, Virginia's civic values, which are the principles articulated in the Bill of Rights (Article I) of the Constitution of Virginia and the ideals reflected in the seal of the Commonwealth, as described in § 1-500, may be taught as representative of such civic values. Nothing herein shall be construed as requiring or authorizing the indoctrination in any particular religious or political belief.
B. The Board of Education shall establish criteria for
character education programs, consistent with the provisions of this section. To The
Department of Education shall
assist school divisions in implementing character education programs and
practices that are designed to promote the development of personal qualities as
set forth in this section and the Standards of Quality and that will improve
family and community involvement in the public schools,
the Board of Education shall also establish, within the Department of Education,
the Commonwealth Character Initiative. The Board With such funds as are made available for this purpose, the Department of Education
shall provide resources and technical assistance to school divisions regarding successful
character education programs and shall (i) identify and analyze effective
character education programs and practices and (ii) collect and disseminate
among school divisions information regarding such programs and practices and
potential funding and support sources. The Board Department of Education may
also provide resources supporting professional development for administrators
and teachers in the delivery of any character education programs.
C. The Board Department
of Education shall award, with such funds as are appropriated for this purpose,
grants to school boards for the implementation of innovative character
education programs, including a summer
youth development academy.