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About the Program
CHARACTER COUNTS! is not an add-on
program that is taught separately from other subjects. The
program is designed to be implemented within the everday teaching
and learning. CHARACTER COUNTS! helps a student become a person
of character, a person who knows the difference between right
and wrong and always tries to do is right. People of character
set a good example for everyone and lives according to the
Six Pillars of Character:
- Trustworthiness
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Fairness
- Caring
- Citizenship
The Founder
The CHARACTER COUNTS! program was
created by Michael Josephson, founder of the Joseph and Edna
Josephson Institute of Ethics, a nonprofit corporation he
named after his parents. Through the Institute, he formed
the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition, a partnership of nearly 100
national and regional educational and youth-serving organizations
that together reach over 40 million young people. Using its
original curricula, the coalition has helped to combat youth
violence, irresponsibility and dishonesty by stressing the
development of character built on core ethical values, the
“Six Pillars of Character.”
The Six Pillars
DO |
DON'T |
Tell the truth
Be sincere
Stand up for your beliefs
Keep your word
Pay your debts and return what you borrow
Stand by, support and protect family, friends and country
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Betray a trust, deceive, mislead, cheat
or steal
Do anything you think is wrong
Gossip
Do anything wrong to keep or win a friendship
Ask a friend to do anything wrong
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Judge all people on their merits
Be courteous and polite
Appreciative and accepting of individual differences
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Abuse, demean or mistreat anyone
Don’t use, manipulate, exploit or take advantage
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Think before you act
Consider the consequences on all people affected
Think for the long term
Be reliable
Accept the consequences of your choices
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Make excuses
Blame others for your mistakes
Take credit for others’ achievements
Quit or give up easily
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Treat all people fairly
Be open-minded
Listen to others
Try to understand what they are saying and feeling
Make decisions affecting others only after appropriate
consideration
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Take unfair advantage of others’ mistakes or take
more than your fair share |
Show you care
Help others
Show compassion and empathy
Be kind and considerate
Be thankful and forgiving
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Be selfish, mean, cruel or insensitive to others’
feelings
Hold grudges
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Play by the rules
Obey laws
Do your share
Respect authority
Vote
Protect the environment
Help your community by volunteering
Conserve natural resources
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Break the law
Ignore your civic duties
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T.E.A.M. Strategy
Teach children that their character counts
– that their success and happiness will depend on
who they are inside, not what they have or how they look.
Tell them that people of character know the difference between
right and wrong because they guide their thoughts and actions
by six basic rules of living (the Six Pillars of Character):
trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring
and good citizenship.
s
Instill the Six Pillars of Character
by rewarding good behavior (praise is usually enough!) and
by discouraging all instances of bad behavior by imposing
fair, consistent consequences that prove you are serious
about character. Demonstrate courage and firmness of will
by enforcing the core values when it is difficult to do
so.
Continuously encourage children to live
up to the Six Pillars of Character. Be an advocate for character.
Don't be neutral about the importance of character or casual
about improper conduct. Be clear and uncompromising: that
you want and expect your children to be trustworthy, respectful,
responsible, fair, caring and good citizens.
Be careful and self-conscious about setting
a good example in everything you say and do. Hold yourself
to the highest standards by honoring the Six Pillars of
Character at all times. You may be a good model now, but
remember, you don't have to be sick to get better. Everything
you do, and don't do, sends a message about your values.
When you slip (and most of us do), act the way you want
your children to behave when they act improperly. Be accountable,
apologize sincerely – and do better!
From Schools to Careers
| Respect |
Civility
Interpersonal Skills
Diversity
|
Value and honor all people
Golden Rule
Tolerance and Acceptance |
| Trustworthiness |
Ethical Behaviors
Honesty
Commitment
Loyalty |
Integrity
Honesty
Reliability
Loyalty |
| Responsibility |
Accountability
Ability to work productively
Quality and quantity |
Accountability
Duty
Self-Control |
| Fairness |
Communication skills: listening and being open to differing
viewpoints
Ability to analyze and evaluate fairly
Communication skills: listening, open, gathers facts
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Demonstrates open-mindedness
Make decisions without favoritism or prejudice
Openness – gathers facts, including opposing viewpoints |
| Caring |
Good attitude
Awareness of business relationships
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Compassionate and considerate of others
Shows kindness |
| Citizenship |
Positive work ethic
Commitment to lifelong learning
Teamwork
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Participate, do your share
Make the community a better place for all
Pursue the common good |
Adapted from: Business Council of British
Columbia, May 1995
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Adapted from: CHARACTER COUNTS!
Information, May, 1998 |
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