PART II: The Application Process
1
Getting Started
Gathering documents you will need:

Go to CEP’s website: www.character.org

Print the NSOC/SSOC application guidelines

Print and REVIEW the revised 11 Principles
(Sample application is available on website.)
2
CEP’s Eleven Principles:
What is quality character education?
Effective character education:

Principle 1: Promotes core values.

Principle 2: Defines “character” to include
thinking, feeling, and doing.

Principle 3: Uses a comprehensive
approach.
CEP’s Eleven Principles:
What does a school with quality character
education look like?

Principle 4: Creates a caring community.

Principle 5: Provides students with
opportunities for moral action (service
learning).

Principle 6: Offers a meaningful and challenging
academic curriculum (performance character).

Principle 7: Fosters students’ self-motivation.
CEP’s Eleven Principles:
Who should be involved in character
education?

Principle 8: Engages the staff as an ethical
learning community.

Principle 9: Fosters shared leadership.

Principle 10: Engages families and
community members as partners.
CEP’s Eleven Principles:
How are we doing?
Where do we go from here?
Assessment should guide the process!
Principle 11: Assesses the culture and
climate of the school.
Getting Started

Enter information about your school, date your
initiative began, demographics, etc.

This data helps track your application and aids
communication.

After you hit “submit,” print the one-page Cover
Sheet. Make it the cover of your application.
Putting it all together:
The Narrative with Supporting Evidence:

You have 25 pages (30 for districts) for a narrative and
inserted supporting evidence (at least ¼ text and ¼ artifacts)

Make sure your presentation is readable

Use 1 inch margins, 12 point type, Times New Roman font

Double space: use only one side of the paper

Number pages
8
Begin with page 1

An overview of your school or district in terms of
character education

It answers the questions: What are your character
education goals and what is so special about your
school or district that it deserves NSOC recognition?

It should include:




How/when you agreed upon your core values
What you are trying to accomplish
Why you are doing what you are doing
What feature of your initiative is most exemplary
9
Helpful Hints

Write a paragraph (or more) for each principle and include
examples that address the scoring items and key indicators

Insert artifacts (supporting evidence) within your narrative

Number each section by principle

Only mention information once even when it overlaps
principles

Provide qualitative and quantitative evidence. Show that you
have gathered data and acted upon it.
10
Supporting Evidence


Insert documents that lend evidence (artifacts) directly into
your application.
Examples:
 Data on positive behavioral or academic changes
 School climate survey results with before and after
comparisons
 Mission statements and school mottos
 Examples of student work or student reflections
 Lesson plans or assignments that integrate character
education
 Articles from newsletters or newspapers
 Documentation of staff development
11
The Importance of Principle 11
Shows character education has made a difference.

Provide specific qualitative and quantitative
evidence.

Provide full data and analysis from surveys or other
measurements.

Use numbers, not percentages, when reporting
changes in student behavior.

Demonstrate that you have gathered data, reflected
upon it, and then acted.
12
Guidelines for Inserting Artifacts

Clearly label each item

Be mindful of reproducibility

Do not reduce items to less than 10 pt. (except news
articles)

Include only one item per insertion

Date newspaper articles

Use photographs judiciously

Do not include original documents
13
In Lieu of Inserting Artifacts

Use an appendix format

See application guidelines for specific
directions
14
Self-Assessment Score Sheet

Have stakeholders score your initiative
individually using the Eleven Principles Scoring
Guide.

Prepare a compilation (average) of your scores as
the last page of your application.

Use the Excel score sheet from CEP’s website, or
use the score sheet page of the 11 Principles.
15
Background Information
Include on the bottom of the score sheet:

AYP explanation, if necessary

Who completed the self-assessment

Who contributed to the application

Information about previous NSOC/SSOC
applications
16
Additions and Tips
INCLUDE:



Changes since the last application
Leadership efforts
Explanation of commercial programs
Note reviewers may visit your website for
additional data.
17
Two Formats
1. Mail 3 copies
OR
2. Make a PDF of your assembled application, including
your Cover Sheet and Self-Assessment Score Sheet,
and submit the PDF via email. Be sure file size is not
too large (varies – usually no more than 8 MB).
Submit to state sponsor if from a participating state.
Otherwise submit to CEP.
Due date: December 1, 2010
18
Promising Practices

Unique and specific character education strategies
and programs that address one or more of the 11
Principles

Applications are due March 15, 2011. (April 15 for
SSOC/NSOC applicants)

CEP features winning practices in the annual
NSOC publication and on its website, where
educators may search for ideas that work.
NSOC/SSOC applicants receive special
consideration.
Questions?
Contact Janice Stoodley
janice.stoodley@character.org
(1-800) 988-8081 or (202) 296-7743
Application guidelines and CEP’s 11 Principles
are available at www.character.org
Character Education Partnership
1025 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 1011
Washington, DC 20036
20
CREDITS…
Adapted from PowerPoints developed by
Eileen Dachnowicz
CEP Screener, Site Visitor, Trainer, and NSOC Book Author
© Character Education Partnership, 2010
21