2005 Arizona Revised Statutes - Revised Statutes §15-154.01  Character education matching grant program; program termination

A. Any public or charter school that teaches a character education curriculum pursuant to section 15-719 is eligible for a state matching grant of up to one thousand five hundred dollars annually. The school shall provide matching monies from any lawful source, except that the school shall not use resources obtained from a federal character education grant as matching monies to obtain a second state character education grant.

B. The character education program shall be an age-specific, stand-alone character education curriculum with the following elements:

1. Applicable definitions for character qualities that include at least five of the following attributes:

(a) Attentiveness.

(b) Caring.

(c) Citizenship.

(d) Compassion.

(e) Diligence.

(f) Discernment.

(g) Forgiveness.

(h) Generosity.

(i) Gratefulness.

(j) Initiative.

(k) Orderliness.

(l) Respect.

(m) Responsibility.

(n) Sincerity.

(o) Trustworthiness.

(p) Virtue.

(q) Wisdom.

2. Activities that provide a forum for practical application and an environment in which character-related behavior is identified, recognized and reinforced such as literature or visual media presentations or discussion of character values as they relate to a specific story.

3. Stories from the lives of our nation's leaders, where character qualities are demonstrated.

4. Mentors or teachers who demonstrate the character qualities defined in the lessons presented.

5. Mentor and teacher training for praising students who demonstrate specific character qualities.

6. A precourse and postcourse survey of parents, teachers and students on their assessment of the program.

C. The department of education shall contract with and distribute state matching grant monies to the Arizona K-12 center at northern Arizona university. The Arizona K-12 center at northern Arizona university shall administer the program and distribute the state matching grant monies. Programs must demonstrate proven and effective curriculum and training to receive matching grant funds.

D. The state department of education shall apply for all applicable character education grants from the federal government.

E. The department of education shall work in cooperation with the Arizona K-12 center at northern Arizona university to evaluate the effectiveness of all character education programs funded by state and federal resources.

F. The program established by this section ends on July 1, 2010 pursuant to section 41-3102.