Orange County Department of Education

Character...Sets the Standard


*What*	*Why*	*Who*
"Having good character means understanding, caring about and acting upon core ethical values such as respect, honesty, civic mindedness, and responsibility." Character Education Partnership	The goal of character education is to develop students academically, ethically and socially by infusing character development into every aspect of the school culture and curriculum. The school itself is a microcosm of a civil, caring and just society.	An intensive year long institute has been created for administrators and teachers from Orange County schools to create a Professional Ethical Learning Community Program (PELC) in order to improve the cutlure of their schools.

The Orange County Department of Education implements
Character Education across the county!

ICE Elements of Character and Definitions

Integrity	Respect	Responsibility
Having the courage to do what is right, even when it's difficult. Academic Honesty: Doing my own work; not cheating or copying; not using others' work without giving credit. Honesty: Being truthful with myself and others. Trustworthiness: Being reliable, keeping promises, and following through on my word.	Treating others the way I want to be treated. Being considerate and honoring the feelings, opinions, and property of others. Respect for Others: Being considerate and honoring the feelings, opinions, and property of others. Self-Respect: Being good to myself and not putting myself down; taking care of myself. Compassion: Being kind, caring, and forgiving, even when others might not be. Self-discipline/Moderation: Making responsible choices in what I say and do to reach my personal goals. Courtesy: Being polite, listening to others, and using positive language.	Being accountable for my own actions and choices (and their consequences) without blaming others. Dependability: Doing what I say I will do; completing m home and school responsibilities. Perseverance: Working hard to set and achieve my personal goals; not giving up. Civic Mindedness: Getting involved in and contributing to my school and community; helping others.