In 1995, Dallas schools faced a crisis in decision-making among young people. Crime, teen pregnancy and dropout rates had been soaring, as they were across the nation, and little seemed to help. Late in that year, 35 employees of the Dallas school system and 36 community representatives participated in a special, contracted, weeklong training with Michael Josephson. They returned and launched CHARACTER COUNTS! in selected schools.

Student behavior quickly improved, on many counts. “It's like night and day,” said Linda Jones, administrator of the Dallas CC! program, in 2000. “The whole emotional atmosphere of the building changes. It becomes a kinder, gentler place.”

Among the activities that helped CC! succeed in Dallas were:

• Dads reading once a week from the Core Virtue character program to reinforce the Six Pillars (E.L. DeGolyer Elementary).
• An array of CC! community service projects (Hood Middle).
• The “absentee buddy” program (to further the Pillar of caring), in which one child acts as a “buddy” for another who is absent, helping that child with missed information on his or her return (Stonewall Jackson Elementary).
• Distribution and review of CC! material with parents at PTSA meetings (Talented and Gifted Magnet Elementary).
• Schoolwide rules that reflect good character (Hillcrest High).

National recognition came to the Dallas CC! program in 2000, as Walnut Hill Elementary won the National School of Character Award from the Character Education Partnership (CEP). (In 2001, Lisbon Elementary received the Dallas Coalition on Character and Values award for its CC! program.) Soon after, the district installed CC! in all its 218 schools.

Today, CC! reaches some 166,000 students in the Dallas area every day. They live in 11 different municipalities and speak upwards of 70 different languages at home. “As a school district, we realize that our primary mission is to educate the future leaders of our community and to prepare better citizens for Dallas,” says Dr. Mike Moses, the district superintendent. “That is why CHARACTER COUNTS! is such an important component of our school district's curriculum.”

The Dallas schools are at various stages of implementing CC!. Some are just learning the Six Pillars vocabulary, while others are immersing themselves in activities that involve all students, teachers and parents.

Certain activities have taken place at all schools:

• CILT members participated in CC! train-the-trainers seminars during the summer of 2002.
• CILT members trained each campus districtwide in a 3-hour CC! workshop on August 20, 2003.
• Each principal signed and submitted an action plan detailing CC! strategies.
• Each campus sent a flyer home to inform parents about CC!.

Individual schools have offered their own activities, and below are some of them:

James Bonham Elementary

• Teachers have infused the Six Pillars throughout the curriculum on a daily basis.
• Student activities and expectations are consistent with their age and social/academic development.
• The front foyer features a prominent display of the Six Pillars.
• School officials give daily readings on character during the school announcement period.
• The school has placed signs depicting individual Pillars throughout the first and second floors to remind students of the values as they pass in the hall.

Tom C. Gooch Elementary

• The school christened each hallway after a CC! Pillar.
• It highlights a different Pillar in every morning announcement.
• Each teacher chooses Students of the Week based on their behavior the week before.
• Reminders of character dot the bulletin boards.
• The school rewards good character at the end of each six-week grading period.

Stonewall Jackson Elementary

• On a bulletin board, the school highlights students’ acts of character and posts their pictures.
• Teachers read stories and discuss the Six Pillars in relation to the characters.
• Pupils sing R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
• Teachers hold team-building activities on Fridays.
• Teachers sent home a copy of the Six Pillars.
• The school has created a Pillar Patrol featuring peer mediation.
• Teachers have modeled Six Pillars by becoming more aware of their own behavior.
• Quality of the Month Box: A student prints a Pillar on a decorated ex-Kleenex box. Children slip notes into the box describing the good deeds of another child.
• Students wrote a Character Pledge of Allegiance and recited it in class.
• In November 2002, teachers presented an enrichment reading on trustworthiness called “The Top Line” by James Avery, CEO of James Avery Craftsman, Inc.
• During American Education Week, students decorated hallways with a different theme for each day and created a unity chain.
• Teachers accompanied students on an overnight trip to the Dallas ISD Environmental Center to learn about respecting our environment and each other.
• Teachers discussed with students the “All Kinds of Hats” community helpers wear, and invited these individuals to visit the classroom and speak about their varied roles.
• Students took part in “The Fairness Necklace.” Half the students got red necklaces and one group received more privileges than the other. Students then discussed fairness. Afterwards, they got heart-shaped charms to remind them of this Pillar.
• The school has posted CC! banners and posters throughout.

Erasmo Seguin Elementary

• The school issued CC! ribbons to students.
• A tree on display in the cafeteria has leaves with the names of students who do good deeds.
• The counselor provides biweekly lessons on character.
• Each classroom displays a Six Pillars poster.
• A school official reads the Word of the Week over the public address system in English and Spanish.
• The library prominently displays books on character education.
• The school teaches anti-bullying tactics.

T.C. Marsh Middle School

• CILT members assist all teachers with suggested activities and discussion topics. Teachers target the Pillar a minimum of 30 minutes each week.
• Daily Focus: Teachers emphasize favorite quotes about a Pillar.
• CC! Stars: The school awards certificates to a student from each pod/team who exemplifies the Six Pillars throughout the six weeks.
• A bulletin board highlights CC! student work.
• The school held a CC! hall and door decorating contest and winners received a pizza party.
• The school took part in Red Ribbon Week, stressing everyone’s responsibility to put a “cap” on drugs.

Hillcrest High School

• The school displays the Six Pillars throughout the building.
• Its schoolwide rules embody good character.
• Local role models speak to students about character and goals.
• Community volunteers mentor students and foster their character development.
• The school has a campuswide community service project.