Character.org

Character.org is a non-profit organization that aims to promote character development in schools and communities across the United States. Founded by Kevin Ryan and Tomas Lopez in 1993, Character.org has worked with numerous institutions, including the National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, and National Association of Elementary School Principals. Character.org's mission is to provide resources and support to help schools and communities develop character education programs, similar to those implemented by James Comer at the Yale Child Study Center and Edward Zigler at the Yale University.

● Overview of

Character.org Character.org is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has partnerships with various organizations, including the National Character Education Center, Character Counts!, and the Center for Social and Emotional Education. The organization's work is guided by the principles of character education, which emphasize the importance of teaching values such as respect, responsibility, and caring in schools. Character.org's approach is influenced by the work of Lawrence Kohlberg, Jean Piaget, and Carol Gilligan, who have made significant contributions to the field of moral development. The organization also draws on the expertise of Daniel Goleman, Howard Gardner, and Robert Sternberg, who have written extensively on emotional intelligence and multiple intelligences.

● History

Character.org was founded in 1993 by Kevin Ryan and Tomas Lopez, who were inspired by the work of Thomas Lickona and the Center for the 4th and 5th Rs. The organization's early work focused on developing character education programs for schools, with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the U.S. Department of Education. In the 1990s, Character.org partnered with the National Council for the Social Studies and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development to promote character education in schools. The organization has also worked with No Child Left Behind and Every Student Succeeds Act to ensure that character education is integrated into school reform efforts, with input from Diane Ravitch, Linda Darling-Hammond, and Theodore Sizer.

● Programs and Initiatives

Character.org offers a range of programs and initiatives to support character development in schools and communities. The organization's 11 Principles of Effective Character Education provide a framework for schools to develop comprehensive character education programs, similar to those implemented by Deborah Meier at the Central Park East schools. Character.org also provides training and resources for teachers, including workshops and conferences, such as the annual Character Education Conference hosted by the University of Missouri. The organization has partnered with the National Association of School Psychologists, American School Counselor Association, and National Association of School Resource Officers to provide support for social-emotional learning and character development. Character.org's work is also influenced by the research of Angela Duckworth, Carol Dweck, and Walter Mischel, who have studied the importance of grit, growth mindset, and self-control.

● Awards and Recognition

Character.org has received numerous awards and recognition for its work in promoting character development. The organization has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a leader in character education, and has received funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Gates Foundation. Character.org has also partnered with the Ashoka Foundation, Case Foundation, and New Profit Inc. to support innovative character education programs. The organization's work has been featured in publications such as Education Week, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, with commentary from Diane Ravitch, Jay Mathews, and Nicholas Kristof.

● Impact and Evaluation

Character.org's programs and initiatives have had a positive impact on schools and communities across the United States. The organization's 11 Principles of Effective Character Education have been adopted by schools in all 50 states, and its training programs have reached thousands of teachers and educators. Character.org has also partnered with researchers from Harvard University, Stanford University, and University of California, Berkeley to evaluate the effectiveness of its programs. The organization's work has been influenced by the research of James Coleman, Christopher Jencks, and Karl Alexander, who have studied the importance of social capital and community engagement in promoting student success. Character.org's commitment to character education and social-emotional learning has made it a leader in the field, with recognition from Arne Duncan, John King, and Betsy DeVos. Category:Character education