DATE: Sunday, June 29, 1997                 TAG: 9706270929

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A6   EDITION: FINAL 

SERIES: TEACHING KIDS VALUES

                                            LENGTH:   96 lines

CHARACTER EDUCATION A STATUS REPORT

Dozens of the region's public schools for years have had codes of conduct or school pledges that emphasize certain character traits. But most advocates of character education say the point now is to beef up efforts and to go about the work more systematically, stressing ``universal'' values across all subjects.

It may be too early to gauge the effectiveness of new initiatives in Norfolk and Portsmouth, or to predict how others will pan out in neighboring school districts.

But so far, it appears that many public school educators have opted to stick with basic values that few would argue with - and to address them in a general way.

The nature of character-ed lessons themselves also can vary significantly from school to school and even from teacher to teacher.

Here is a brief look at recent initiatives centered around some type of values-education program in five local school districts:

CHESAPEAKE

STATUS: Last fall, the district celebrated Character Counts Week, part of a national campaign. The Character Counts program focuses on six traits: trustworthiness, fairness, responsibility, caring, respect and citizenship.

Among last year's activities: Chesapeake's middle school students heard an inspirational speaker; and elementary students decorated school hallways with artwork extolling the need for them to develop selected virtues. Teachers discussed the six traits in class.

FUTURE: The district will celebrate its own ``character education week'' this fall.

A group of teachers and supervisors is also crafting a character-ed plan, which may be implemented this fall for high school students as well as those in kindergarten through second grade, a district spokesman said.

NORFOLK

STATUS: The district kicked off its initiative in January. The Board approved 16 traits, which had been recommended by community leaders, parents and educators. Staffers are encouraged to incorporate the traits - including respect and honesty - into lessons. In February, several teachers participated in a character-ed forum in San Diego. < The district held a fair in May, where educators shared ideas and resources. Schools have embraced character-ed activities, including recognizing students who exemply certain traits.

FUTURE: The district plans to set up teacher-training sessions on character education this summer and throughout the 1997-98 school year.

A guide with suggested character-ed activities - developed by city teachers - will be a resource for teachers throughout the school system in the upcoming academic year.

PORTSMOUTH

STATUS: The district began its K-12 character-ed initiative this past semester. Portsmouth's School Board approved nine traits, which had been recommended by a group of parents, educators and others. Teachers are urged to integrate the traits into everyday lessons across subject areas. The traits: citizenship, responsibility, honesty, integrity, respect, self-esteem, self-control, loyalty and compassion. A group of city teachers wrote suggested character-ed lesson plans that were later compiled and shared with colleagues.

FUTURE: City teachers continue to use many approaches in delivering character ed - from the assignment of classroom ``jobs'' to teach students responsibility to student-writing projects on individual traits.

SUFFOLK

STATUS: A School Board-appointed committee studied character ed and recently gave the board its recommended list of 20 traits that should be taught. The traits: ``fairness, honesty, courtesy, respectfulness of self and others, maintenance of positive attitude, use of appropriate language, caring and consideration of others, recognition and acceptance of diversity, responsibility, cooperativeness/team player, perseverance, conscientiousness, hard-working, creativity, knowledge, principled, ability to use conflict resolution, ability to make good choices, ability to cope with peer and other pressures, self-discipline.''

FUTURE: After the board reviews the traits, the list will be shared with community groups, Parent-Teacher Associations and other parents in summer newsletters. The committee also wants to conduct two public forums on the issue to get more feedback.

VIRGINIA BEACH

STATUS: A committee of educators and community representatives began meeting about a month ago to identify specific ``principles of American citizenship'' to emphasize in the city's public schools. The district's strategic plan does not refer to the effort as ``character education.'' But many of the principles under review are similar to character traits embraced in other school systems, such as respect, responsibility and honesty.

FUTURE: The group continues to work on defining selected principles and studying how Beach schools would work them into everyday school routines across the system. The committee has yet to present its recommendations to the School Board.

SOURCE: Local school systems KEYWORDS: VALUES EDUCATION

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