Character Education Partnership Names Orono a Finalist for Character Honor

From the Orono School District:

Orono is one of only five school districts in the nation, along with 28 public schools and two charter schools, to be named a national finalist in the Character Education Partnership (CEP) 2013 National Schools of Character program.

“These schools are safe places that have developed cultures of respect and trust,” said CEP President Mark Hyatt. “They show us how an intentional emphasis on character and climate translates into creating the conditions necessary for learning, safety, and success.”

"Our students have embraced our character education program and taken leadership of it beyond what we could ever imagine," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Orcutt. "We're very proud of our work in this area, but even more proud of our students."

The district has been asked to provide additional documentation to support its application and will have on on-site visit April 3-4. Dr. David Wangaard, director of The School for Ethical Education in Milford, Conneticut, will serve as the lead evaluator.

Schools that apply for NSOC recognition benefit from self-assessment as well as the expert feedback they receive at no cost. Once they reach a standard of excellence, a process that may take several years, they are recognized as Schools of Character and asked to help other schools transform their school cultures. Describing the program as a path to school improvement through high-quality character education, CEP has offered the NSOC program to K-12 schools and districts in the U.S. since 1998.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to share the inspirational stories of more school communities doing what’s best for children day in and day out,” said Lara Maupin, NSOC Director. “These are schools where parents feel supported in their most important job – raising good kids.”

The 35 National Finalists were selected from an applicant pool of 131 schools and districts across the United States based on the quality of their written applications. In March and April they will undergo an intensive screening process that will include site visits and analysis of the impact of their character-related efforts on academics, student behavior, and school culture.

The finalists include 21 elementary schools, two middle schools, three high schools, four mixed-grade schools and five districts that include a high school district and a national charter school district. Three of this year’s finalists are alternative schools. The finalists represent 16 states, with Missouri having the highest number at nine. Over half of the finalists have student populations where one-quarter or more qualify for free or reduced lunch.

The 2013 National Schools of Character will be announced in early May. CEP will honor these schools and districts at the 20th National Forum on Character Education, to be held October 24-27, in Washington, DC. Visit www.character.org to learn more about the NSOC program and the 2013 National Finalists.