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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 ] , [ or as a separate program, ] 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.