Oklahoma Department of Education Abstract

Contact: Mary Meritt
Oklahoma State Department of Education
2500 North Lincoln Boulevard
Suite 4–33
Oklahoma City, OK 73105–4599
(405) 522–0276
mary_meritt@mail.sde.state.ok.us

Reaching Back: Character Building in Oklahoma

Application Number: R215V990005 Project Period: 6/1/99–5/31/03
FY 1999 Award: $250,000
FY 2000 Award: $250,000
FY 2001 Award: $250,000
FY 2002 Award: $250,000

The Oklahoma State Department of Education, in partnership with eight school districts, will design and implement a multifaceted character education initiative in the first year. The eight school districts and the State Department of Education will:

• facilitate a process allowing community partners to come to consensus about the elements of character and the role that different groups will play on a long-term basis;

• identify, select, and refine curriculum and teaching strategies that focus on the elements of character through Oklahoma's Core Curriculum, Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS);

• refine and publish the curriculum and provide teacher training on the curriculum and associated activities of the project;

• provide technical assistance to nonpartner LEAs in incorporating the elements of character into existing state and federal programs (i.e., PASS, guidance and counseling, Learn and Serve America, Title IV, Title VI, and Alternative Education);

• provide grants to teachers and school counselors at nonpartner LEAs to purchase character education materials for classroom instruction;

• establish a clearinghouse for information on the State Educational Agency (SEA) Internet Home Page and at each of the state's seven Professional Development Centers concerning model programs, materials and the character education pilot districts;

• provide professional development opportunities at SEA statewide conferences; and

• publish and disseminate the community-school generated curriculum.

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