The Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools - Character and Civic Education (CCE) Program provides support to programs in character and civic education. Other responsibilities include providing financial assistance for character and civic education activities in elementary and secondary schools, reporting on issues, disseminating information, and providing technical assistance to state and local education agencies. CCE sponsored programs may be carried out by state or local educational agencies, institutions of higher education in collaboration with other public or private nonprofit organizations.

Character Education is an inclusive concept regarding all aspects of how schools, families, and related social institutions support the positive character development of children and adults. Character education enables young people to learn how to work and live together as families, communities, and nations. Character can encompass such moral and ethical values as respect, fairness, and caring - as well as responsibility, trustworthiness, and citizenship. It also refers to the demonstration of these values in behavior, reasoning, and emotions. More information about Character Education is included on this site and at the What Works Clearinghouse.

The CCE group has lead responsibility for the following programs:

Character Education

Partnerships in Character Education Program (Discretionary Grant)

Civic Education

We The People (Direct Earmark)

Cooperative Civic Education and Economic Education Exchange Program (Direct Earmark and Discretionary Grants)

The purpose of the program is to improve the quality of civics and government education, foster civic competence and responsibility; and improve the quality of civic education through cooperative exchange programs with emerging democracies.