SCSC NEWS FROM THE CENTER FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

The Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and recognizing high levels of academic achievement for students, teachers, and educational leaders. In addition, it is our goal to act as a catalyst for increasing student academic achievement through improved school performance, ethical educational practices, and accountability tools. For more information on their programs and services, please visit the CAE website: www.mncae.org.

Schools Honored at the Minnesota State Schools of Character and Promising Practices Award Ceremony

On May 22, the Center for Academic Excellence held the first Minnesota State Schools of Character and Promising Practices Award Ceremony in the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda. Special guest speakers included Commissioner of Education Alice Seagren, Representative Dean Urdahl, and Karen Rusthoven, Executive Director and Principal of the Community of Peace Academy in St. Paul.

Wanda Sommers Wall from CAE along with Commissioner Seagren and Representative Urdahl offered congratulations and distributed awards in recognition of schools in Minnesota who have successfully implemented character education programs. A short reception followed the ceremony in the Minnesota State Capitol Great Hall.

Commissioner Seagren spoke fondly about her work with students in Minnesota and the importance of character education. She greeted all students attending the award ceremony with a smile and a warmness representative of a true character education advocate. Representative Urdahl, a former seventh grade teacher, spoke powerfully about the need for character education in schools to overcome “discipline deficit disorder…an inability to delay gratification, self-centeredness, and a rampant consumerism.” Representative Urdahl stressed character education leads to “core traits like patience, respect and putting other people’s needs on par with your own.” Rusthoven spoke of the tremendous gains at the Community of Peace Academy after implementing a successful program in character education. Rusthoven stated her school climate has positively impacted all students, teachers, and staff.

The Minnesota State Schools of Character Award is modeled after the National Schools of Character (NSOC) program sponsored by the Character Education Partnership (CEP) and based on CEP’s Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education. The program recognizes schools and/or districts that excel in exemplifying the eleven principles and demonstrate outstanding character education initiatives that yield positive results in student behavior, school climate, and academic performance. Program requirements mirror those of the national award and state award winners are forwarded for national consideration.

The Minnesota Promising Practices Award has been created to recognize schools in Minnesota that have developed and implemented a specific practice promoting character development in their schools. These practices must be: specific, unique and transferable, provide measurable results and impact, and encompass at least one of the eleven principles.

Districts and Schools Honored:

• 2008 Minnesota School of Character: Orono Public School District
• 2008 Emerging School of Character: Trailview School—Mora Public Schools
• 2008 Minnesota Promising Practices:
  Orono High School
  Lake Park-Audubon Elementary School
  Ellis Middle School, Austin

 

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