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NOW OPEN FOR 2021!!
The application for 2021 State and National School of Character is OPEN!
This is the earliest opening ever for the application. BUT that also means that the window for applying will close at the earliest date on record:
All applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm (EST) – Friday, November 20, 2020.
The link below will not only provide access to the application but you can also find:
This is the earliest opening ever for the application. BUT that also means that the window for applying will close at the earliest date on record:
All applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm (EST) – Friday, November 20, 2020.
The link below will not only provide access to the application but you can also find:
- A PDF of the application for schools and for districts.
- Information for previous Schools of Character that are applying for Recertification.
- A Self-Assessment Tool and Scoring Guide.
- Some tips for writing the application.
- Fees and deadlines.
2020 Schools and Districts of Character Announced
First - Congratulations to DOVE SCIENCE ACADEMY SOUTH OKC for being named an Honorable Mention School of Character in 2020! In just its second year DSA South OKC has implemented a strong culture of character and academics that is typical of all DOVE schools in Oklahoma. We look forward to the great things to come.
On May 15, 2020, Character.org announced the National Schools and Districts of Character certification for 84 schools and 7 districts in 15 states, plus 1 international school from the nation of Colombia. During a time in which 2020 has become a very tense and stressful year for many across the nation and the world, the staffs and students of these exceptional schools are definitely bright lights. To see the Press Release from Character.org and to find out how your school or district can begin the journey to be recognized as a 2021 School of Character follow this link - https://www.character.org/schools-of-character
On May 15, 2020, Character.org announced the National Schools and Districts of Character certification for 84 schools and 7 districts in 15 states, plus 1 international school from the nation of Colombia. During a time in which 2020 has become a very tense and stressful year for many across the nation and the world, the staffs and students of these exceptional schools are definitely bright lights. To see the Press Release from Character.org and to find out how your school or district can begin the journey to be recognized as a 2021 School of Character follow this link - https://www.character.org/schools-of-character
Winners of the 2020 Oklahoma High School Ethics Bowl
On Saturday, February 8, 2020, a total of 24 teams from 11 high schools competed in the Oklahoma Region High School Ethics Bowl at the Cox Center in Oklahoma City, OK. The winner will now compete in the 2020 National High School Ethics Bowl at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill on the weekend of April 17th -19th.
In the 4th year of state involvement the number of Oklahoma high schools creating teams and competing in the Ethics Bowl continues to grow. Here are the 2020 winners (pictured to the right): 1st Place - Dove Science Academy OKC 2nd Place - Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics 3rd Place – Ringling High School Winners from previous years are listed below: 2019 - 1st Place - Dove Science Academy OKC 2nd Place - Norman North High School 3rd Place - Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics 2018 - 1st Place - Norman North High School 2nd Place - Cordell High School 3rd Place - Altus High School 2017 – 1st Place - Dove Science Academy OKC 2nd Place - Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics 3rd Place - Norman North High School If you are interested in developing teams of high school students to compete in the 2021 State and National competition follow this link for contact information -- www.okethicsbowl.com/what-is-an-ethics-bowl |
Dove Science Academy OKC
1st Place
OK School of Science & Mathematics 2nd Place
Ringling High School 3rd Place
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2020 Promising Practices Announced This Summer
8 Oklahoma public schools are among those that Character.org recently recognized with 264 Promising Practices. Each of these school or organization-based initiatives is a significant example of effective character development and aligned with one or more of our 11 Principles framework.
For more information about the schools and their Promising Practices follow this link:
http://www.okcharacter.org/promising-practices.html
For more information about the schools and their Promising Practices follow this link:
http://www.okcharacter.org/promising-practices.html
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Another Great Celebration of Oklahoma Schools! |
Oklahoma Was Well Represented
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The annual celebration of Oklahoma's 2019 National Schools of Character and Promising Practice recipients on September 25 was a tremendous success.
Check on the Celebration page for details! |
Educators from schools around Oklahoma attended Character.org's National Forum on Character in Washington DC.
Make your plans to attend next year and consider applying for State and National School of Character. |
The New Introduction to the
11 Principles
Why Should You Help Oklahoma
Schools Develop Cultures of Character?
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“I think the most important thing we do in schools today is develop character.”
“Through the 11 Principles we found the vehicle that helped us grow and mature as a district in our character education efforts. In them we had a way to evaluate and assess our culture and in applying the 11 Principles framework we recognized that we had work to do in a number of areas. We realize that character development is a continuous journey and that there is not a finish line. With the help of OKcharacter.org our district will continue to evolve and mature in this process.”
Don Raleigh, Superintendent Pryor Public Schools All schools are NSOC Pryor, Oklahoma |
“We are committed to aiding OKcharacter.org in spreading the character initiative.”
“Our faculty took part in staff development sessions on the 11 Principles of Effective Character Education and then segregated by Principle our programs, events, routines, areas of service, and integration of character within curricula. Having what we believed to be a great school coupled with the culture growth that resulted from implementing the 11 Principles we applied for School of Character in 2014 and became Oklahoma’s first elementary to be a State & National School of Character.”
Ronia Davison, Principal Sadler Arts Academy 2014 & 2019 NSOC Muskogee, OK |
" I have not been part of a more meaningful experience."
"As a professional educator of almost 40 years, I have not been part of a more meaningful experience than the Schools of Character process. The 11 Principles has helped us to evaluate ourselves in such a way that it elevated us to the next level in developing a true culture of good character. And the most amazing and beneficial aspect is that it is on-going. More than being certified as a School of Character, the 11 Principles is a tool for continued improvement at Eisenhower."
Charlotte Oates, former Principal Eisenhower High School 2016 NSOC Lawton, OK |
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“Character-building goes right down into individual’s hearts… it is the most powerful form of leadership influence.”
“Helping schools build a culture of character is one of the greatest investments businesses can make. Developing student character today will produce better families, neighbors, community leaders, employees, and employers in the future.” Tom Hill, Board Chairman Kimray, Inc Oklahoma City, OK |
“Every child has potential and helping them build good character determines their degree of success as adults.”
“As a businessman I know the importance of good character and I believe in the need for character development in our young people. At Charlie’s Chicken we are committed to our support of the Schools of Character programs and the impact they are having throughout Oklahoma.” Charlie Randolph, CEO Charlie's Chicken, Inc Muskogee, OK |
“Schools that build good character in students are producing the type of future citizens we need in Oklahoma.”
“If all of our students in every Oklahoma school could be involved in the ‘Schools of Character’ programs, it would have a greater impact than any new teaching method on any subject ever has.” Jerry McPeak Former State Representative Warner, OK |
Developing a Culture of Character Can Begin Today.
Why Start the Character Journey?
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Oklahoma Schools of Character is a 501c3 Oklahoma non-profit organization that helps public, charter, and private schools throughout Oklahoma implement best practices for character development.
We do this by:
We do this by:
- Providing training in the 11 Principles of Effective Character Education developed by Character.org which has aided and recognized exemplary schools since the mid-1990s.
- Assisting schools in evaluating their culture and climate as they take steps toward becoming State and National Schools of Character. The emphasis in character development is not relegated to students but also has an emphasis on staff, both certified and support.
- Acting as a resource for understanding and navigating the School of Character and Promising Practice applications.
- Facilitating Ethics Bowl events for high school and college student teams to compete at state and national levels by applying ethics to real life practice scenarios.
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"The Schools of Character programs sponsored by Character.org in Washington, D.C. have the potential to revolutionize school culture across our great state of Oklahoma. As former Governor of Oklahoma and past Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Character.org, I heartily recommend that schools across the state look seriously into implementing the 11 Principles of Effective Character Education, apply for Promising Practices recognition, and begin the process of becoming National Schools of Character."
Governor Frank Keating |
