HB 2577-S - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 2/14/02)

     Finds that when character education is integrated into a school's curriculum there is a decline of incidences involving violence, bullying, and harassment.

     Declares an intent to encourage school districts to integrate character education into each school's curriculum.

     Intends that local communities, in partnership with schools or school districts, should have the responsibility for determining which character traits and values are included in each district's or school's character education program.

     Requires the office of the superintendent of public instruction to collect and make available on its web site programs and instructional materials that will help school districts, in consultation with parents and local community members, to teach students how to demonstrate in a school setting the desired character traits.