Vermont Department of Education Abstract

Contact: J. Douglas Dows
120 State Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05620
(802) 828-5109
ddows@doe.state.vt.us

Vermont Character Education Program: Safe, Orderly, Civil and Positive Learning Environments

Grant Number: R215V010001
Project Period: 9/1/01–8/31/06
FY 2001 Award: $211,979
FY 2002 Award: $209,182
FY 2003 Award: $187,823
FY 2004 Award: $192,423
FY 2005 Award: $198,593

The purpose of this project is to design and implement character education curriculum components that will help school communities construct knowledge of the qualities of caring, civic virtue, citizenship, justice, fairness, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness. This will require the development and use of reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that can contribute toward making Vermont schools safe, orderly, civil, and positive learning environments for all. The Vermont Commissioner of Education has invited each of the 60 local education agencies (LEAs) to join a partnership with the Vermont State Education Agency. The Department will establish a Character Education Clearinghouse for information dissemination and an accessible data?base focused on character education and related programs. A Curriculum Design Team, with members from Vermont institutions of higher education and LEA partners will identify, design, adapt and revise character education curriculum components that will be reviewed by the Project Partnership Advisory Council. Two LEAs will serve as model sites for field-testing the curriculum components. Local Advisory Groups will review the curriculum components and assist project staff in their implementation. After completing an intensive Summer Institute, teachers, special educators, and paraprofessionals in each model site will implement the curriculum. LEA Site Coordinators and a contracted consultant will provide on-site training and technical assistance. An annual statewide Character Education Conference will disseminate the project's results statewide. An evaluation team will identify and design appropriate instruments to fully evaluate all aspects of the project.

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