A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

   FOR RELEASE                                 Contact: David Thomas    September 5, 1995                                  (202) 401-1579

State departments of education in California, Iowa, New Mexico and Utah have received grants from the U.S. Department of Education to look for answers.

"We are a diverse nation reflecting cultures and religious traditions from all over the world," said U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley. "Yet, as Americans, we share many common values that our children should learn. Of course, character building begins at home and in churches, but schools can play an important role in supporting parents and in ensuring that these core American values are communicated and reinforced." Riley said there is general consensus that children should learn such aspects of character as respect, hard work, fairness, responsibility and trustworthiness.

Under the Partnerships in Character Education Pilot Project, the state education agencies will work with local school districts, for example, to develop curriculum materials or provide teacher training. Each state also will operate an information clearinghouse on character education.

The grantees were from selected from among 17 eligible applicants.

The Partnerships in Character Education Pilot Project is authorized under Title X, Part A, Section 10103 of the Improving America's School Act (P.L. 103-382).

       California State Department of Education                 $250,000    Contact:  Glen W. Thomas (916) 657-4874        Iowa State Department of Education                        114,000    Contact:  Troyce Fisher (515) 357-6125        New Mexico State Department of Education                  250,000    Contact:  Patricia Concannon (505) 827-6525        Utah State Office of Education                            246,997    Contact:  Nancy N. Mathews (801) 538-7500                                                         Total:  $860,997