According to the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools of the U.S. Department of Education, schools play a vital role in character education. Here is what schools can do to facilitate character education.

"In school, character education must be approached comprehensively to include the emotional, intellectual, and moral qualities of a person or group. It must offer multiple opportunities for students to learn about, discuss, and enact positive social behaviors. Student leadership and involvement are essential for character education to become a part of a student's beliefs and actions.

"To successfully implement character education, schools are encouraged to:

• take a leadership role to bring the staff, parents, and students together to identify and define the elements of character they want to emphasize

• provide training for staff on how to integrate character education into the life and culture of the school

• form a vital partnership with parents and the community so that students hear a consistent message about the character traits essential for success in school and life

• provide opportunities for school leaders, teachers, parents, and community partners to model exemplary character traits and social behaviors"

Source: "Character Education: Our Shared Responsibility," U.S. Department of Education, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, Washington, D.C.