The Model Standards for Student Development is the result of an ongoing project of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Josephson Institute of Ethics to provide educators with a comprehensive, fully integrated statement of what educators can and should do to create a positive school culture and prepare students to:
1. succeed in school (including post-secondary education),
2. succeed in the workplace,
3. become engaged, ethical, and productive citizens, and
4. live happy, worthy, and fulfilling personal lives.
Like its predecessors, this 3rd edition recognizes that academic excellence, socialemotional competence, moral character, and a positive school culture are inextricably linked and contribute to the holistic development of students.
1. Academic Domain – outcomes concerned with intellectual attributes designed to produce cognitive competencies, skills, and traits, including critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making.
2. Social-Emotional Domain – outcomes concerning attributes that equip students to become well-adjusted, empathetic individuals with the tools to navigate life’s challenges, build positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. This domain includes self-awareness, self-management skills (including self-discipline, resilience, discernment, adaptability, patience, and perseverance), positive mindsets (including self-confidence, positivity, and gratitude), social awareness, relationship skills (including communication, collaboration, conflict management, and self-reliance), and ethical decision-making.
3. Character Domain – concerning the cultivation of a strong moral compass and promotion of universal core ethical values and character traits necessary to produce good moral character.
4. Culture Domain – focusing on conditions educators must create to establish a safe, positive, inclusive school culture conducive to learning and promotes respect, equity, and a sense of belonging.
(C) 2024 The Ray Center at Drake University is proud to be the home of CHARACTER COUNTS! CHARACTER COUNTS!, the Six Pillars of Character, and Pursuing Victory with Honor are trademarks of the Josephson Institute. CHARACTER COUNTS! was founded by Michael Josephson through the Joseph and Edna Josephson Institute of Ethics.