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1999 SESSION

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SB 817 Elementary school character education programs.

Introduced by: John S. Edwards | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS ENACTED WITH GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION: (all summaries)

Elementary school character education programs. Requires all school boards to establish character education programs. These programs must be developed in cooperation with the students, parents and the community. The basic character traits may include trustworthiness, respect, responsibility (including hard work and economic self-reliance), fairness (including consequences of bad behavior and principles of non-discrimination), caring, and citizenship (including patriotism, the Pledge of Allegiance, and respect for the American flag), each of which subsumes various characteristics such as honesty, integrity, tolerance, and accountability. The present law on the Commonwealth Character Initiative is modified to provide that the Board will establish criteria for character education programs as well as the Commonwealth Character Initiative and will provide certain information to school divisions, and may provide resources supporting professional development in the implementation of character education programs. The Board 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. Character education 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. The program shall not be construed as requiring or authorizing the indoctrination in any particular religious or political belief. Any classroom instruction used to supplement the character education program must complement the Standards of Learning


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