Our Centers for Ethics:

What are people saying about CHARACTER COUNTS!?

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We hear good things all the time from educators, parents, and others who are using CHARACTER COUNTS!. Here is a sampling:

“The results have been outstanding. We've realized a 60% reduction in behavior incidents on living units and a 47% reduction in negative behavioral incidents in our academic setting. Additionally, our human resource director reports staff retention is the highest it has been in 15 years!”
— Report on CHARACTER COUNTS! from Orchard Place, a center for mental health and juvenile justice services for more than 5,000 children in Des Moines, Iowa

“Character education programs work. Schools across the country that have adopted strong character education programs report better student performance, fewer discipline problems, and increased student involvement within the community. Senator Domenici and I … hope that by designating [CHARACTER COUNTS! Week] we may highlight the importance of character-building activities in schools not only this week but all year long.”
— Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), announcing the U.S. Senate's bipartisan CHARACTER COUNTS! Week resolution

“I have supported CHARACTER COUNTS! throughout the years because I believe this program reaches out to all youth and adults, as the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition states, no matter the individual’s race, creed, politics, gender, or wealth. I am proud of how this character education has taken root in New Mexico. This program is making a difference in New Mexico and across the country.  I encourage more people to become involved with the CHARACTER COUNTS! program….”
— Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM), announcing the U.S. Senate's bipartisan CHARACTER COUNTS! Week resolution

“It's like night and day. [With CHARACTER COUNTS!] the whole emotional atmosphere of the building changes. It becomes a kinder, gentler place.”
— Linda Jones, who oversees the program at the Dallas Independent School District

“The CHARACTER COUNTS! program does a wonderful job of showing how these core values apply across society in different situations. It does so in a non-denominational format that is not ‘preachy.’ As parents, we would love to see more continued efforts in this highly worthwhile program. As community members, we wish that such a program was in more schools.”
— A parent, responding to an anonymous survey at Clegg Park Elementary School in Iowa

“Teaching good character at home is so much easier when it has been reinforced in school through the CHARACTER COUNTS! programs. I can see the CHARACTER COUNTS! influence every day in my children's social, academic, and athletic endeavors.”
— Dan Drenkow, parent, Sioux Falls, SD