It is no surprise that legislatures and policy-makers across the country are beginning to mandate the inclusion of character education in their school systems. Schools with a serious commitment to character have enjoyed the outcomes: civility in the halls and schoolyards, and a classroom atmosphere that encourages learning and helps teachers enjoy the field they have chosen.

The successes resulting from such programs have been chronicled in two volumes: Promising Practices in Character Education and Promising Practices in Character Education - Vol. II. In these stories, administrators and teachers tell of the transformation that took place in their classrooms and communities as a result of well-implemented character education programs.

CDG is proud of its connection to two of the most prominent success stories in character education. In Hamilton County, Tennessee and Wake County, North Carolina, schools, parents, community groups, faith groups, and businesses all teamed up to create long-lasting programs for teaching students - and the communities they came from- about character.

A significant model program is under way in Hamilton County (Chattanooga), Tennessee. Chattanooga (Hamilton County Schools) chose to launch a system-wide character education program that not only impacted all their schools, but also drew tremendous support from the business and social communities. The program's success can be used as a template to illustrate how businesses, faith communities, and civic organizations can work together with schools to help develop children and adults who “know, love and do the good.”

This model initiative is chronicled and explained in two books: The Chattanooga Character Education Story, a collection of in-the-trenches descriptions of the initiative written by principals in Hamilton County Schools, and The Operating Manual for Character Education Programs, a toolkit based on the materials developed in Hamilton County.
 

“Philip Vincent's writings and speaking have helped to light the way for countless schools setting out to create schools of character!”
Dr. Thomas Lickona, Center for the 4th and 5th Rs, State University of New York, Cortland

Dr. Philip Fitch Vincent “...knows children; he knows schools; he knows his theory, he also knows how to put them all together.”
Dr. Kevin Ryan, Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character, Boston University

“We have never needed character development in public schools more than we do now, and Phil Vincent's ideas are the wisest response I've seen to the moral dilemma we face.”
Terry Roberts, National Paideia Center

“Everyone should hear Phil Vincent's message...”
Jerry Corley, PREP, Curriculum Integration Coordinator, Cooperating School Districts, St. Louis, MO.

“Dr. Vincent's workshop was outstanding...My colleagues and I returned to our schools inspired to implement the practical strategies we learned.”
Dr. Duane Hodgin, Asst. Superintendent of Educational Support Services, MSD of Lawrence Township, Indianapolis, Indiana

“Valuable information for educators, parents, and youth professionals.”
Linda R. Hyler, President/State Director, Cities in Schools of North Carolina

“A comprehensive, balanced approach...with practical guidelines and numerous examples...great for teachers and administrators.”
John Arnold, Ph.D., Director of Middle Grades Graduate Program, North Carolina State University