WHEREAS, parents,
teachers, and leaders from business, faith-based and other community organizations
in New Jersey all have an important role in ensuring that our children
receive a quality education in an environment that is safe and conducive
to learning; and
WHEREAS, developing
good character in our young people is essential to providing a safe and
productive school environment; and
WHEREAS, the events
of September 11th have heightened the sensitivity of our nation and our
state, causing citizens to give greater consideration to common beliefs,
character virtues, and service to others; and
WHEREAS, the State
of New Jersey has a compelling interest to provide leadership for a statewide
effort on character education so that students throughout the State can
be involved in programs that recognize our common values and help them
to become good citizens; and
WHEREAS, the State
of New Jersey has a compelling interest to help schools create classroom
environments that promote effective learning and encourage students to
respect one another; and
WHEREAS, the State
of New Jersey has a compelling interest to help schools teach students
the importance of good character traits such as integrity, fairness, respect,
and citizenship; and
WHEREAS, the State
of New Jersey has a compelling interest to teach students how to solve
conflicts without resorting to intimidation or violence, and to avoid
the dangers of drugs and alcohol; and
WHEREAS, nationwide
research demonstrates that successful character education programs are
based on values determined by the local community and transmitted through
incorporation into existing curriculum; and
WHEREAS, research
demonstrates that the provision of meaningful character education programs
that incorporate common values, conflict resolution, and service to others
can best be achieved by involving parents and communities in such efforts
along with the school community; and
WHEREAS, the State
of New Jersey has a compelling interest to gather information on best
practices and principles that define good character education programs;
and
WHEREAS, the State
of New Jersey desires to build upon existing programs and efforts currently
being undertaken by schools in this state.
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, JAMES E. MC GREEVEY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue
of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes
of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
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There is hereby
established The New Jersey Character Education Commission.
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The Commission
shall be co-chaired by Father Edwin Leahy, Headmaster of St. Benedict's
Preparatory School; Dr. Moses William Howard, Pastor of Bethany Baptist
Church; Maud Dahme, President of the New Jersey State Board of Education;
and Clarence Hoover, Superintendent of the Vineland Public Schools.
Other members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Governor,
with representation from faith-based organizations, community and
service organizations, parents, and education leaders throughout the
State.
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The Commission
shall begin meeting in March 2002 and shall report to the Governor
on or before September 30, 2002.
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The Commission
shall review best practices for character education and shall set
forth options for communities and school districts to undertake the
development of community-based character education programs.
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In its recommendations,
the Commission shall consider programs that:
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Teach students
the importance of character traits such as integrity, fairness,
respect, responsibility, and citizenship
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Incorporate
character education through the existing curriculum
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Create schools
that are safe
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Create classroom
environments that promote effective learning and encourage students
to respect one another
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Teach students
how to solve conflicts fairly and respectfully without resorting
to intimidation or violence
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Develop
leadership skills and offer students opportunities to serve others
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Engage parents
and the entire community in cooperative efforts to build and model
good character.
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The Commission
shall be staffed by personnel from the Department of Education.
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The Commission
is authorized to call upon any department, office, or agency of State
government to provide such information, resources or other assistance
deemed necessary to discharge its responsibilities under this Order.
Each department, officer, division and agency of this State is required
to cooperate with the Commission and to furnish it with such information
and assistance as is necessary to accomplish the purposes of this
Order.
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The meetings
of this Commission shall be publicly advertised throughout the State
of New Jersey and shall be open to the public so as to allow for input
from the community.
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This Order shall
take effect immediately.
GIVEN, under
my hand and seal this 27th
day of February in the Year of our Lord,
Two Thousand and Two, and the
Independence of the United States,
the Two Hundred and Twenty-Sixth.
/s/ JAMES E. McGREEVEY
Governor
[seal]
Attest:
/s/ PAUL A. LEVINSOHN
Chief Counsel to
the Governor