1. How do we decide if we need a character and citizenship education initiative in our school?
Schools and jurisdictions will decide to implement character and citizenship education initiatives for a variety of reasons. Some schools may feel they need to respond to particular issues in the school community, other schools may want to better coordinate the current efforts of staff and students. Many schools may simply decide it is time to step back, take a fresh look at the present school climate and culture, and see how it can be strengthened.
2. What if we already have a number of things happening in our school that promote positive school climate? Do we still need a formal character and citizenship education initiative?
Your school might not need a formal initiative, but students and staff can certainly benefit from one. Creating a more deliberate and systematic character and citizenship education initiative is an opportunity to:
- reflect on what is currently working and what is not
- develop a shared vision and comprehensive approach that all teachers and students can support
- create an assessment plan so you can measure the changes taking place
- gain the involvement and support of parents and community members.
3. How will I know if this initiative is making a difference?
You may see some obvious changes in students' attitudes and behaviours, but the most effective way to find out if the initiative is making a difference is to develop an assessment plan. This plan should go beyond student achievement scores to authentically, comprehensively and systematically measure development of character and citizenship. School-developed indicators of success might include such behaviours as:
- increased number of students arriving on time for class
- fewer behavioural incidents
- increased number of students indicating they feel that school is a safe place to be.
For more information and strategies for creating an assessment plan, see Chapter 4: Assessing Character and Citizenship Education Initiatives in The Heart of the Matter.
4. How long will it take for character and citizenship education to make a difference in my school?
Meaningful, sustainable and successful change takes time. Most initiatives will be a three- to seven-year process, with small positive changes noticeable within the first year. Whatever approach you choose to implement, it is helpful to consider Michael Fullan's advice: "Think big. Start small. Move slowly."
5. What kind of resources do we need to dedicate to a new character and citizenship education initiative?
There are many opportunities to build character attributes and skills for citizenship within the Alberta programs of study without adding new teaching resources or scheduling. The main resource required is the dedication and leadership of teachers and others in the school community.
6. What is the role of parents in a school's character and citizenship education?
As the primary influence in their children's lives, parents have an essential role in character and citizenship education. Students' learning extends beyond the school environment, especially when it comes to values, attitudes and behaviours. Parents can be involved in planning and implementing the initiative, as well as reinforcing the goals of the initiative outside of the school. For specific strategies, see Chapter 10: Involving Parents in Character and Citizenship Education in The Heart of the Matter.
7. Will there be a new program of studies to support character and citizenship education?
Character and citizenship education is not a separate subject to be taught in isolation. Therefore, it will not have a stand-alone program of studies. However, character and citizenship education is a core component of the new social studies program of studies, which began implementation in 2005 beginning with Kindergarten to Grade 3. It is also infused throughout a number of other curriculum areas. Chapter 6: Infusing Character and Citizenship Education Across the Subjects in The Heart of the Matter offers sample strategies and themes for developing character and citizenship education throughout existing programs of study.
What School Administrators Need to Know about Character and Citizenship Education (4-page brochure)
