1. Eileen Dachnowicz Presenter
Quick Review of 11 Principles; Tips on Applying for a SSOC, NSOC Award, Promising Practices
Eileen Dachnowicz
Presenter

2. Overview of the Session
What We’re Planning to Cover:
Understanding the 11 Principles
Changes to 2019 Principles
The SSOC, NSOC Application Process; Promising Practices
Character.org website
222 2 2

3. Keeping Track of Today’s Handouts:
11 Principles of Character Education
NEW Capsule Summary Sheet, Score Sheet
Effective Practices for each Principle
11 Principles
YOUR WORK TODAY:
Check off Effective Practices you have.
Circle the Principle that needs work.

4. Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education: An Overall View
Assessment
Where are we now?
Where do we want to go?
How well are we doing?
Principles 1,2,3
What is quality
character education?
Principles 4,5,6,7
What does a school with
quality character ed
look like?
Principles 8,9,10
Who should be involved
in character education?
Proven
Framework

5. Some schools use the 11 Principles Capsule Summary Sheet as an easier guide.
As you read the narrative & accompanying artifacts, use the exemplary implementation examples as a guide.
Wow! This
is a great
help! 5

6. The 11 Principles as the Scoring Rubric
Principle 1. Core Values are defined, implemented, and embedded into school culture
Each Principle has 3 to 4 numbered Scoring Items that are scored from 1 to 4.
1.1 Stakeholders in the school community select or assent to a set of core values
Under each Scoring Item are bulleted indicators:
When you write your application, make certain to touch each of these bulleted items! 6

7. The Scoring Process 0 Not evident or visible; poor
2.7 for Honorable Mention
3.3 for SSOC.
NOTE: Items are scored from 1 to 4.
Use the key indicators of exemplary
practice as a guide:
1 Lacking evidence
2 Developing implementation
3 Good implementation
4 Exemplary implementation
Items are scored from 0 to 4:
0 Not evident or visible; poor
1 Some implementation
2 Good implementation
3 Very good implementation
4 Exemplary implementation . 7

8. Keep in Mind the Changes to
the 11 Principles made in 2019!

9. Principles1, 2, 3 with Examples
1. Promotes core ethical and performance values
2. Defines “character” comprehensively to include thinking, feeling, and doing.
3. Intentional and proactive in addressing social, emotional, and character development.”
Examples:
P. 1. Stony Brook School, N. Plainfield
P.2. Riverview and Lakeview, Denville
P. 3. Ross School, Metuchen .
Core Values Spark EVERYTHING. 9 9

10. Review: Principles 1 – 3: Basic Foundation of Character Education
What will you remember about Principles 1-3 to help you?
Prin. 1-3: Does the school have a plan based on its core values &
SEL teaching?
4-7: Now, let’s see how they put it into action. 10

11. Principles 4, 5, 6, 7; Examples 4. Creates a caring community.
5.. Provides students with opportunities
for moral action
6. Offers a meaningful and challenging
academic curriculum that respects all learners
7. Fosters students’ self-motivation
Examples:
P. 4: Nicholas LaCorte-Peterstown School 3, Elizabeth
P. 5: Hanover Park Regional HS District
P. 6: Pauline Petway. Vineland
P. 7. Unity Charter School, Morristown 11 11

12. Review: Principles 4 – 7: What does Character Education look like in ACTION?
What should you be looking for in the portfolio for Principles 4-7?
Prin. 4-7: Is it caring? Promote service? Real learning for all?
Kids intrinsically motivated?
Prin. 8-10: Who’s involved?
Everybody!. 12

13. Principles 8, 9, 10 and Examples
8. Staff is an ethical learning community that shares responsibility for character education & adheres to its values.
9. Fosters shared leadership and long-range support of the character initiative
10. Engages families and community members as partners in the character-building effort
Examples
P. 8: Valley Middle School, Oakland
P. 9: School 28, Elizabeth, NJ
P.10: Somerset Intermediate, North Plainfield 13 13

14. Principle 11: Beginning & End
11.Assesses school culture/climate, staff’s functioning, and students’ character
Periodic assessment of Core Values, Creating Touchstone
Climate Surveys of students, staff, parents; Changes in response to Surveys
Academic Improvement: Standardized Test Scores; Report Cards; Graduation Rates
Behavioral Improvement: Attendance,
Bullying Stats
Character Ed Meetings; Staff Reflection 14 14

15. Applying for a NJSOC, National School of Character
Free Access: Open all year on Character.org site. Mock Audit: $150: Score Sheet with Strengths, Areas of Growth – no official accreditation.
SSOC Accreditation: Application Fee: $250: Score Sheet with Strengths, Areas of Growth – eligible for SSOC accreditation (3.3 or higher).
National School of Character Accreditation. Additional Fee of $250 if you have been named a SSOC. National Site Visit with Accreditation Report with Strengths, Areas of Growth.
National School of Character
Recertification: $500

16. SAME Application: Consists of Narrative and Portfolio of Evidence
Applying for a NJSOC, National School of Character: Deadline: Dec. 6, 2019
SAME Application: Consists of Narrative and Portfolio of Evidence
Criterion: 11 Principles of Effective Character Education
Each Unit of the Narrative for each Principle scored from 1 to character limit
If your total score is 3.3 with no unit average less than 3, you become a NJ School of Character.
Invited to try for National School of Character accreditation – additional $250 fee required,

17. What will you see when you download the 2020 Application?
The application consists of 5 Parts:
Applicant Information: Usual demographic info
Your Character Journey: Short Overview
Implementation of the 11 Principles: (Cut & Paste)
(Also, Self-Assessment section.)
Evidence of Impact (Test, Attendance, Survey Results
Supporting Materials (Lesson Plan, Photos,Testimonials)
NOTE:. Once you have created an identity & password, you can begin work, stop after a while and easily resume work on the application. Nice feature! . 17

18. Portfolio: Evidence Principles 1 gets up to 2 documents.
All Portfolio documents submitted in PDF or Word Format. Document (not longer than 3 pages) must be clearly READABLE
Principles 1 gets up to 2 documents.
Principle 3 gets up to 2 documents.
Principle 11 gets up to 4 documents.
All other Principles get 1. NO Photos.
May submit one additional piece of evidence by checking box and submitting (May be a video).
NOTE: Any of the “Effective Practices” can be used as
Portfolio Evidence. 18

19. Applying for Promising Practices
Do you have a specific, unique, and effective character education strategy or program to share with others?
Does it meet at least one of Character.org’s 11 Principles of Effective Character Education and at least one of 31 sub-topics, such as Relationship Building, Mentoring/Buddies, Service Learning, or Integration with Academics?
Fee is $100; Deadline for completing your application is usually mid-March, 2020

20. What practices do we have?
Questions for Promising Practices
Describe your student demographics.
Enter a one-sentence description of your Practice.
Enter a one-paragraph description of Practice
What is your Practice and how have you implemented it in your school or district?
How does your specific Practice contribute to character development?
What impact is your Practice having on students in your school or district?
PHOTO of your practice in Action
What practices do we have?

21. Time for Review and Reflection!
Quick Review:
Cite ONE thing NEW
that you learned today.
Quick Implementation: Cite ONE NEW strategy that that you will try in your school.