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Character Education

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The Six Pillars of Character

 

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Superintendent Horne

Superintendent Horne strongly believes in the Six Pillars of Character program given its universal success over the years. The Six Pillars of Character are the core ethical values of CHARACTER COUNTS!

 

These values were identified by a nonpartisan, secular group of youth development experts as core ethical values that transcend cultural, religious, and socioeconomic differences.

 

When I was last Superintendent, from 2003 to 2011, we successfully implemented character counts and its six pillars:

Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Citizenship, and Caring.

 

We had a six pillars band that I played in. Unlike social and emotional learning, which has been a distraction from academics, Character Counts program was integrated into academic education such as students writing essays on each of the six pillars. As we work to renew the focus on academics, and eliminate distractions, Character Counts will provide an important balance to our students’ education.

 

A message from Scott Raecker, Executive Director of The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, the proud global home of CHARACTER COUNTS! serving over 8 million people worldwide: 

 

CHARACTER COUNTS! provides a meaningful and measurable framework to help focus on character skills that shape a positive culture for students and prioritize character development. Through this effort, we can achieve improvement in students’ character, academic skills, and ensure their school is a safe and welcoming learning environment.

Bookmark Summer Contest

 

Pennant Contest Winners Announced
 

2026 Winners

 

Announcing the Presidential 1776 Award

Presidential 1776 Award

A golden seal with 1776 spelled out on it

 

Character Education Showcase

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Matching Grant

SY27 Character Education Matching Grant – Year 1 

Character Education Matching Grant Program §15-154.01

  1. Any public or charter school that teaches a character education curriculum pursuant to section §15-719 is eligible for a state matching grant. The school shall provide matching monies from any lawful source, except that the school shall not use resources obtained from a federal character education grant as matching monies to obtain a second state character education grant.
  2. The character education program shall be an age-specific, stand-alone character education curriculum.

Character Education

Pre-approved Providers

Matching Grant Recipients

2023 Character Education Contest

2024 Character Education Contest

 

Mila Makal

[email protected]

520-770-3177

 

Celebrating Constitution Day!

 

 

The Arizona Department of Education wants to thank Dr. Adrienne Henderson-Cole, Transformational Teacher Leader at ASU Prep Pilgrim Rest, Principal Marissa Schneckloth and all enthusiastic students for creating and sharing such a wonderful video in celebration of Constitution Day. Your creativity, effort, and enthusiasm truly brought the spirit of this important day to life. It was inspiring to see your pride in our nation’s history and the values that continue to guide us today. Your work not only honors the Constitution but also reminds us all of the importance of civic engagement and learning. We appreciate your contribution and the thoughtful way you commemorated this special day!

 

Character Counts Day!

 

Character Ed License Plate

The Arizona State Legislature approved the use of an Arizona State Character Education License Plate.

To purchase the plate, visit www.ServiceArizona.com and visit their License Plates section to order your custom plate.

 

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY (ECA) TAX CREDIT

 
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