School Character development program
Texas school districts are required to have a Character Development under TEC 29.906.
This program is intended to increase school pride for middle school and high school students. Having school pride builds a sense of community among students and reduces problems within the student body and at home. Being a part of the school community can be gained with several programs. In our many years in the business, we have seen schools with better graduation rates, less crime and incarceration, and development of skills both socially and skill based. We have also seen increases in test scores.
Promoting Texas school pride programs involves blending foundational, statewide traditions like Friday night football and UIL spirit squads with campus-wide character education, inclusive climate building, and community service clubs such as Rotary, safety patrol, first responder student programs.
1. Game Day and Athletic Traditions • UIL Spirit Competitions: The University Interscholastic League (UIL) hosts official State Spirit Championships. Schools compete in crowd-leading, fight song, and band chant categories, which unifies cheerleaders, mascots, and pep squads. • Pep Rallies and Parades: Organize community-wide parades, tailgate events, and themed spirit weeks to build anticipation for athletic events and academic milestones.
2. Character, Service, and Civic Leadership • Student-Led Service Clubs: Implement chapters of service-oriented organizations like Key Club to boost student involvement through community volunteering and campus improvement. • Leadership Councils: Establish a student-driven Inclusion and Diversity Leadership Council. These groups lead workshops, host multicultural nights, and encourage positive dialogue to make all students feel valued. • Ambassador Programs: Encourage students to participate in the Texas School Safety Teen Ambassadors program to foster a sense of responsibility and create safe, healthy school environments.
3. Fostering an Inclusive School Climate • Affirmation and Representation: Promote belonging through safe and supportive school programs. During events like Pride Month, educators can highlight important current and retired Texas school employees to teach inclusivity, while utilizing campus clubs such as a Gay-Straight Alliance to show latent support within the community. • Positive Recognition: Celebrate small acts of citizenship and academic achievement using shout-outs during morning meetings, "Student of the Day" boards, and positive notes sent home to parents.
4. Extracurricular and Enrichment Programs • Academic and Career Competitions: Support career-readiness programs like Texas DECA to foster a strong sense of school identity through regional and state business competitions. • Fine Arts Integration: Leverage marching band, choir, theater, and dance/drill teams, which are highly visible components of Texas school pride. Extended after-school enrichment programs, like those funded by Texas ACE, keep students engaged in campus culture.
Specific Code Text Sec. 29.906. CHARACTER TRAITS AND PERSONAL SKILLS INSTRUCTION. (a) The State Board of Education shall integrate positive character traits and personal skills into the essential knowledge and skills adopted for kindergarten through grade 12, as appropriate. (b) The State Board of Education must include the following positive character traits and personal skills: (1) courage (2) trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability, punctuality, and loyalty (3) integrity (4) respect and courtesy (5) responsibility, including accountability, diligence, perseverance, self-management skills, and self-control (6) fairness, including justice and freedom from prejudice (7) caring, including kindness, empathy, compassion, consideration, patience, generosity, charity, and interpersonal skills (8) good citizenship, including patriotism, concern for the common good and the community, responsible decision-making skills, and respect for authority and the law (9) school pride and (10) gratitude. (c) Each school district and open-enrollment charter school must adopt a character education program that includes the positive character traits and personal skills listed in Subsection (b). In developing or selecting a character education program under this section, a school district shall consult with a committee selected by the district that consists of: (1) parents of district students (2) educators and (3) other members of the community, including community leaders. We recommend implementing a mentor program for the district. Fredericksburg ISD has a program that has been very successful. Link to program
Character.org program information
TEA program information
This program is intended to increase school pride for middle school and high school students. Having school pride builds a sense of community among students and reduces problems within the student body and at home. Being a part of the school community can be gained with several programs. In our many years in the business, we have seen schools with better graduation rates, less crime and incarceration, and development of skills both socially and skill based. We have also seen increases in test scores.
Promoting Texas school pride programs involves blending foundational, statewide traditions like Friday night football and UIL spirit squads with campus-wide character education, inclusive climate building, and community service clubs such as Rotary, safety patrol, first responder student programs.
1. Game Day and Athletic Traditions • UIL Spirit Competitions: The University Interscholastic League (UIL) hosts official State Spirit Championships. Schools compete in crowd-leading, fight song, and band chant categories, which unifies cheerleaders, mascots, and pep squads. • Pep Rallies and Parades: Organize community-wide parades, tailgate events, and themed spirit weeks to build anticipation for athletic events and academic milestones.
2. Character, Service, and Civic Leadership • Student-Led Service Clubs: Implement chapters of service-oriented organizations like Key Club to boost student involvement through community volunteering and campus improvement. • Leadership Councils: Establish a student-driven Inclusion and Diversity Leadership Council. These groups lead workshops, host multicultural nights, and encourage positive dialogue to make all students feel valued. • Ambassador Programs: Encourage students to participate in the Texas School Safety Teen Ambassadors program to foster a sense of responsibility and create safe, healthy school environments.
3. Fostering an Inclusive School Climate • Affirmation and Representation: Promote belonging through safe and supportive school programs. During events like Pride Month, educators can highlight important current and retired Texas school employees to teach inclusivity, while utilizing campus clubs such as a Gay-Straight Alliance to show latent support within the community. • Positive Recognition: Celebrate small acts of citizenship and academic achievement using shout-outs during morning meetings, "Student of the Day" boards, and positive notes sent home to parents.
4. Extracurricular and Enrichment Programs • Academic and Career Competitions: Support career-readiness programs like Texas DECA to foster a strong sense of school identity through regional and state business competitions. • Fine Arts Integration: Leverage marching band, choir, theater, and dance/drill teams, which are highly visible components of Texas school pride. Extended after-school enrichment programs, like those funded by Texas ACE, keep students engaged in campus culture.
Specific Code Text Sec. 29.906. CHARACTER TRAITS AND PERSONAL SKILLS INSTRUCTION. (a) The State Board of Education shall integrate positive character traits and personal skills into the essential knowledge and skills adopted for kindergarten through grade 12, as appropriate. (b) The State Board of Education must include the following positive character traits and personal skills: (1) courage (2) trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability, punctuality, and loyalty (3) integrity (4) respect and courtesy (5) responsibility, including accountability, diligence, perseverance, self-management skills, and self-control (6) fairness, including justice and freedom from prejudice (7) caring, including kindness, empathy, compassion, consideration, patience, generosity, charity, and interpersonal skills (8) good citizenship, including patriotism, concern for the common good and the community, responsible decision-making skills, and respect for authority and the law (9) school pride and (10) gratitude. (c) Each school district and open-enrollment charter school must adopt a character education program that includes the positive character traits and personal skills listed in Subsection (b). In developing or selecting a character education program under this section, a school district shall consult with a committee selected by the district that consists of: (1) parents of district students (2) educators and (3) other members of the community, including community leaders. We recommend implementing a mentor program for the district. Fredericksburg ISD has a program that has been very successful. Link to program
Character.org program information
TEA program information
