Indiana PTA believes that having good character means understanding, caring about and acting upon core ethical values such as honesty, respect and responsibility to one’s self and community.
Indiana PTA believes parents are the first and most important moral educators of their children.
However, Indiana PTA also recognizes the vital role public schools have in teaching character education. Indiana PTA believes that each child’s moral development is as essential to the school’s mission as academic learning.
Public schools provide the environment that bridges ethnic and cultural differences to ensure a democratic society. Character education is the vehicle by which a community of caring is established. Indiana PTA encourages councils and local units to develop and promote character education initiatives that will provide children and youth with opportunities to grow in character.
Indiana PTA believes that parents should work with others in their community to develop character education initiatives for their schools and communities. Working together as communities to develop such initiatives is essential to the well being of our children and youth and to the preservation of our public schools. Bulletins reprinted courtesy of ERIC.
NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR HOME – SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS
Standard 1: Welcoming all families into the school community—Families are active participants in the life of the school, and feel welcomed, valued, and connected to
each other, to school staff, and to what students are learning and doing in class.
Standard 2: Communicating effectively—Families and school staff engage in regular, meaningful communication about student learning.
Standard 3: Supporting student success—Families and school staff continuously
collaborate to support students’ learning and healthy development both at home
and at school, and have regular opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and
skills to do so effectively.
Standard 4: Speaking up for every child—Families are empowered to be advocates
for their own and other children, to ensure that students are treated fairly and
have access to learning opportunities that will support their success.
Standard 5: Sharing power—Families and school staff are equal partners in decisions that affect children and families and together inform, influence, and create policies, practices, and programs.
Standard 6: Collaborating with community—Families and school staff collaborate with community members to connect students, families, and staff to expanded learning
opportunities, community services, and civic participation.
