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Character Achievement Award
Purpose: In his first month in office, Mayor Peterson created the Mayor's Character Achievement Award to recognize acts of good character each month. Mayor Peterson gives the award to recognize students, student organizations, and schools whose conduct reflects exemplary character.
Character education in public schools should complement, not replace, character education taught by families and faith-based organizations. However, realizes many of our young people today are not learning the shared values that we cherish. Schools, therefore, should reinforce the time-honored principles of honesty, respect, responsibility, caring, courage, and self-discipline. Many teachers in Marion County convey these values to their students every day. Our schools must integrate these values into every classroom in Marion County.
Mayor Peterson gives the award to recognize students, student organizations, and schools whose conduct reflects exemplary character.
Facts
- Frederick Douglass said that "the life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous."
- In 1998, a survey by the Josephson Institute of Ethics found that 70% of high school students cheat in school, 47% steal from stores, and 73% admit that they lie with some frequency.
- A survey of Maryland schools that have undertaken character studies found that 77% of schools experienced fewer discipline problems, 68% boosted attendance, and 64% reported less vandalism. After the Round Rocks School District in Texas initiated character education classes, Round Rocks' Jollyville Elementary School reported a 40% drop in disciplinary referrals.
- Several Marion County school districts have already instituted a character curriculum. For example, the Lawrence Township School District adopted the district-wide slogan "Caring About Character," and the Washington Township School Board approved character education for all students. Teachers at Manual High School met with a curriculum expert to discuss methods for instructing students in qualities such as honesty, trustworthiness, and respect.
- 97% of adults in the United States believe that honesty should be taught in the public schools.
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