| Can money help build character? That is what many | | | | take time away from Illinois Schools' critical academic |
| Illinois Schools are banking on. The Illinois Positive | | | | learning, arts and physical fitness activities. Some view |
| Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) Network | | | | character education as a vacuous feel-good program |
| will receive a grant of $471,038 to fund a four-year | | | | that takes resources needed to help Illinois Schools |
| program character education program in the Illinois | | | | meet ever-increasing state and national standards. |
| Schools. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) | | | | Proponents in Illinois Schools point to studies showing |
| announced that the state will receive on of four | | | | that children displaying more of the positive assets that |
| awards given by the Partnerships in Character | | | | these programs focus on, like achievement motivation, |
| Education (PICE) for 2007. | | | | conflict resolution and empathy, show less high-risk |
| Illinois Schools' State Superintendent of Education | | | | behaviors. One 4-year University of Louisville study |
| Christopher Koch believes this award represents the | | | | found that younger students and girls benefit more |
| state's successful commitment to character education | | | | from these programs that older boys. However, this |
| over the last decade. Illinois Schools started the PBIS | | | | grant is aimed specifically at eight high schools. |
| program almost ten years ago, and credit it with | | | | PICE grants attempt to teach, "core ethical concepts" |
| helping to create safe learning environments and | | | | like responsibility, respect for others, and citizenship to |
| emotionally stable students. | | | | awardees like the Illinois Schools. Requirements for the |
| Character education gained popularity after the | | | | grant include proof of integrating current character |
| devastating Columbine incident, and experiences a | | | | education programs into classroom curriculum and |
| surge of attention with national tragedies like the | | | | teacher training, and involvement of parents and the |
| Virginia Tech massacre. But does it really work? | | | | community. Illinois Schools will be assessed on its ability |
| Parents, administrators and educators of Illinois Schools | | | | to reduce the number of discipline occurrences, |
| have been asking that question for years. One criticism | | | | improve academic standing and show positive |
| is that "additional programs" like character education | | | | character development among students. |