Trends reflect that public schools are taking on the
task of educating the whole child, in addition to
teaching reading, writing, math, science, social
studies, physical and vocational education. Character
education has emerged as a focal point. Ten states,
Alabama, Arkansas,California, Florida, Georgia,
Indiana, Nebraska, Tennessee,Utah, and Virginia,
introduced legislation requiring character education
to be included in the curriculum. The 1999 Florida
Legislator required each school district to provide a
character education program,secular in nature, and
similar to Character First or Character Counts! be
introduced in elementary schools (Florida State
Statute 233.061 (q)). This study compares the effects
that strong character education programs in the state
of Florida have on attendance,achievement and behavior.
task of educating the whole child, in addition to
teaching reading, writing, math, science, social
studies, physical and vocational education. Character
education has emerged as a focal point. Ten states,
Alabama, Arkansas,California, Florida, Georgia,
Indiana, Nebraska, Tennessee,Utah, and Virginia,
introduced legislation requiring character education
to be included in the curriculum. The 1999 Florida
Legislator required each school district to provide a
character education program,secular in nature, and
similar to Character First or Character Counts! be
introduced in elementary schools (Florida State
Statute 233.061 (q)). This study compares the effects
that strong character education programs in the state
of Florida have on attendance,achievement and behavior.