Character Education Implementation

Below are some examples of Character for the USA, Texas, Plano, an individual, and a proposed list of character traits that are the basis for one character curriculum. My proposal is for Plano to adopt a character curriculum to be taught at home or if no one is available at home then community service organizations will certainly fill that gap when necessary. The curriculum should be presented in English as well as some other language that is either spoken at home, desired to be learned, or if only English is desired then standard English and English for the Deaf.

Each page of the home text book would be mirrored throughout with English on the right and the other language on the left. Then a component of each course at school would be the demonstration of Character traits from the curriculum, a character trait would be mentioned each day just after the pledge, posters with the character traits would be on walls that are now blank, passing a standardized test on character would be required to move to the next grade, and any commendation or reprimand of students or staff would include references to these character traits.

This approach is similar to earlier days in America except that now the Bible of course cannot be the basis for the character curriculum. Also, some prominently successful schools like KIPP Academy Charter School in Houston employ a similar approach.

"The idea that character is more important than knowledge is readily understood by most parents. It is character that parents are inculcating when they remind their child, 'If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.' A child with strong character will find the way to whatever knowledge he or she desires or needs. He will be much more easy to teach and able and willing to learn, no matter what the grade or subject. The reverse is equally true: knowledge without character is impotent or, worse, malevolent. Weak or conflicted character becomes its own worst enemy, both in school and in life."

Robert Freeman - Economics & History Teacher - Los Altos High School, California.


Character is seen in the consequences of personal and group actions in various circumstances, the ideals that are professed, and the choices made when there seem to be conflicting requirements to fulfill the ideal. For example the signers of the Declaration of Independence acted to continue slavery as well as other practices that conflict with the ideal Character of the USA that they all signed onto, and each of those people and that group had what they considered to be valid reasons for their actions. However, by professing the character statement for the ideal approach, they set the USA on the path to eventually free the slaves as well as continue reforms that are in progress to this day.



Character Basis for United States of America

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/index.htm


The American Natives living in east Texas when the Spanish arrived were found to have friendliness as a Character trait. This trait was evidently part of their name as a group of tribes Tejas that the Spanish used as the name of the Territory that is now (although much smaller) Texas. To this day the motto of Texas is "Friendship", most people coming for the first time to Texas (or returning after a too long abscence) notice the friendliness of the current natives, and most people soon adopt a friendly approach as they adopt Texas as their home.

Texas State Motto - Friendship

www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/TT/pft4.html

Part of the Character of Plano is encouraging people from many different backgrounds to become an intergral part of the community. This has made Plano like a fine tapestry with many different strands to compose a beautiful, durable, and valuable community of people. An example of this Character trait is the Plano Multicultural Outreach Roundtable - MCOR - Mission:

"Encourage amity, understanding, a sense of unity, and collaboration among citizens of Plano."


www.planomcor.org/mission.htm

One of the cochairs of MCOR is an example of the Character Trait of Humility: "MCOR ... is an effort of many more people than myself. Indeed, it is so unexpectedly successful that it is spawning similar efforts in neighboring communities. That can only be to the good of all."

Dr. Christopher A. Parr - Cochair of MCOR


Possible Curriculum - 49 Character Traits

Alertness vs. Carelessness Being aware of what is taking place around me so I can have the right responses

Attentiveness vs. Distraction Showing the worth of a person or task by giving my undivided concentration

Availability vs. Self-Centeredness Making my own schedule and priorities secondary to the wishes of those I serve

Benevolence vs. Selfishness Giving to others’ basic needs without having as my motive personal reward

Boldness vs. Fearfulness Confidence that what I have to say or do is true, right, and just

Cautiousness vs. Rashness Knowing how important right timing is in accomplishing right actions

Compassion vs. Indifference Investing whatever is necessary to heal the hurts of others

Contentment vs. Covetousness Realizing that true happiness does not depend on material conditions

Creativity vs. Underachievement Approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective

Decisiveness vs. Procrastination The ability to recognize key factors and finalize difficult decisions

Deference vs. Rudeness Limiting my freedom so I do not offend the tastes of those around me

Dependability vs. Inconsistency Fulfilling what I consented to do, even if it means unexpected sacrifice

Determination vs. Faintheartedness Purposing to accomplish right goals at the right time, regardless of the opposition

Diligence vs. Slothfulness Investing my time and energy to complete each task assigned to me

Discernment vs. Shortsightedness Understanding the deeper reasons why things happen

Discretion vs. Simplemindedness Recognizing and avoiding words, actions, and attitudes that could bring undesirable consequences

Endurance vs. Discouragement The inward strength to withstand stress and do my best

Enthusiasm vs. Apathy Expressing joy in each task as I give it my best effort

Faith vs. Presumption Confidence that actions rooted in good character will yield the best outcome, even when I cannot see how

Flexibility vs. Resistance Willingness to change plans or ideas without getting upset

Forgiveness vs. Rejection Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and not holding a grudge

Generosity vs. Stinginess Carefully managing my resources so I can freely give to those in need

Gentleness vs. Harshness Showing consideration and personal concern for others

Gratefulness vs. Unthankfulness Letting others know by my words and actions how they have benefited my life

Honor vs. Disrespect Respecting others because of the higher authorities they represent

Hospitality vs. Loneliness Cheerfully sharing food, shelter, or conversation to benefit others

Humility vs. Arrogance Acknowledging that achievement results from the investment of others in my life

Initiative vs. Idleness Recognizing and doing what needs to be done before I am asked to do it

Joyfulness vs. Self-Pity Maintaining a good attitude, even when faced with unpleasant conditions

Justice vs. Corruption Taking personal responsibility to uphold what is pure, right, and true

Loyalty vs. Unfaithfulness Using difficult times to demonstrate my commitment to those I serve

Meekness vs. Anger Yielding my personal rights and expectations with a desire to serve

Obedience vs. Willfulness Quickly and cheerfully carrying out the direction of those who are responsible for me

Orderliness vs. Confusion Arranging myself and my surroundings to achieve greater efficiency

Patience vs. Restlessness Accepting a difficult situation without giving a deadline to remove it

Persuasiveness vs. Contentiousness Guiding vital truths around another’s mental roadblocks

Punctuality vs. Tardiness Showing esteem for others by doing the right thing at the right time

Resourcefulness vs. Wastefulness Finding practical uses for that which others would overlook or discard

Responsibility vs. Unreliability Knowing and doing what is expected of me

Security vs. Anxiety Structuring my life around that which cannot be destroyed or taken away

Self-Control vs. Self-Indulgence Rejecting wrong desires and doing what is right

Sensitivity vs. Callousness Perceiving the true attitudes and emotions of those around me

Sincerity vs. Hypocrisy Eagerness to do what is right with transparent motives

Thoroughness vs. Incompleteness Knowing what factors will diminish the effectiveness of my work or words if neglected

Thriftiness vs. Extravagance Allowing myself and others to spend only what is necessary

Tolerance vs. Prejudice Realizing that everyone is at varying levels of character development

Truthfulness vs. Deception Earning future trust by accurately reporting past facts

Virtue vs. Impurity The moral excellence evident in my life as I consistently do what is right

Wisdom vs. Foolishness Seeing and responding to life situations from a perspective that transcends my current circumstances

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CHARACTER FIRST!®
49 Character Qualities in alphabetical order