Transcript Part 2

PART II: The Application Process
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Getting Started
Gathering documents you will need:

Go to CEP’s website: www.character.org

Print the NSOC/SSOC application guidelines

Print and REVIEW the revised 11 Principles
(Sample application is available on website.)
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CEP’s Eleven Principles:
What is quality character education?
Effective character education:

Principle 1: Promotes core values.
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Principle 2: Defines “character” to include
thinking, feeling, and doing.

Principle 3: Uses a comprehensive
approach.
CEP’s Eleven Principles:
What does a school with quality character
education look like?

Principle 4: Creates a caring community.

Principle 5: Provides students with
opportunities for moral action (service
learning).

Principle 6: Offers a meaningful and challenging
academic curriculum (performance character).

Principle 7: Fosters students’ self-motivation.
CEP’s Eleven Principles:
Who should be involved in character
education?

Principle 8: Engages the staff as an ethical
learning community.

Principle 9: Fosters shared leadership.

Principle 10: Engages families and
community members as partners.
CEP’s Eleven Principles:
How are we doing?
Where do we go from here?
Assessment should guide the process!
Principle 11: Assesses the culture and
climate of the school.
Getting Started

Enter information about your school, date your
initiative began, demographics, etc.

This data helps track your application and aids
communication.

After you hit “submit,” print the one-page Cover
Sheet. Make it the cover of your application.
Putting it all together:
The Narrative with Supporting Evidence:

You have 25 pages (30 for districts) for a narrative and
inserted supporting evidence (at least ¼ text and ¼ artifacts)

Make sure your presentation is readable

Use 1 inch margins, 12 point type, Times New Roman font

Double space: use only one side of the paper

Number pages
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Begin with page 1

An overview of your school or district in terms of
character education
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It answers the questions: What are your character
education goals and what is so special about your
school or district that it deserves NSOC recognition?
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It should include:
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How/when you agreed upon your core values
What you are trying to accomplish
Why you are doing what you are doing
What feature of your initiative is most exemplary
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Helpful Hints

Write a paragraph (or more) for each principle and include
examples that address the scoring items and key indicators
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Insert artifacts (supporting evidence) within your narrative
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Number each section by principle

Only mention information once even when it overlaps
principles
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Provide qualitative and quantitative evidence. Show that you
have gathered data and acted upon it.
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Supporting Evidence


Insert documents that lend evidence (artifacts) directly into
your application.
Examples:
 Data on positive behavioral or academic changes
 School climate survey results with before and after
comparisons
 Mission statements and school mottos
 Examples of student work or student reflections
 Lesson plans or assignments that integrate character
education
 Articles from newsletters or newspapers
 Documentation of staff development
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The Importance of Principle 11
Shows character education has made a difference.

Provide specific qualitative and quantitative
evidence.

Provide full data and analysis from surveys or other
measurements.

Use numbers, not percentages, when reporting
changes in student behavior.
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Demonstrate that you have gathered data, reflected
upon it, and then acted.
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Guidelines for Inserting Artifacts

Clearly label each item
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Be mindful of reproducibility
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Do not reduce items to less than 10 pt. (except news
articles)
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Include only one item per insertion
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Date newspaper articles
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Use photographs judiciously
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Do not include original documents
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In Lieu of Inserting Artifacts
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Use an appendix format
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See application guidelines for specific
directions
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Self-Assessment Score Sheet
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Have stakeholders score your initiative
individually using the Eleven Principles Scoring
Guide.
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Prepare a compilation (average) of your scores as
the last page of your application.
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Use the Excel score sheet from CEP’s website, or
use the score sheet page of the 11 Principles.
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Background Information
Include on the bottom of the score sheet:
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AYP explanation, if necessary
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Who completed the self-assessment
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Who contributed to the application
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Information about previous NSOC/SSOC
applications
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Additions and Tips
INCLUDE:

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Changes since the last application
Leadership efforts
Explanation of commercial programs
Note reviewers may visit your website for
additional data.
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Two Formats
1. Mail 3 copies
OR
2. Make a PDF of your assembled application, including
your Cover Sheet and Self-Assessment Score Sheet,
and submit the PDF via email. Be sure file size is not
too large (varies – usually no more than 8 MB).
Submit to state sponsor if from a participating state.
Otherwise submit to CEP.
Due date: December 1, 2010
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Promising Practices

Unique and specific character education strategies
and programs that address one or more of the 11
Principles
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Applications are due March 15, 2011. (April 15 for
SSOC/NSOC applicants)
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CEP features winning practices in the annual
NSOC publication and on its website, where
educators may search for ideas that work.
NSOC/SSOC applicants receive special
consideration.
Questions?
Contact Janice Stoodley
[email protected]
(1-800) 988-8081 or (202) 296-7743
Application guidelines and CEP’s 11 Principles
are available at www.character.org
Character Education Partnership
1025 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 1011
Washington, DC 20036
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CREDITS…
Adapted from PowerPoints developed by
Eileen Dachnowicz
CEP Screener, Site Visitor, Trainer, and NSOC Book Author
© Character Education Partnership, 2010
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