---

Goals and Objectives

The Fostering Change in School Culture through Character Education (FCSCCE) project seeks to extend quality social and character education programs to more schools throughout the State of New Jersey.


Project Description

To accomplish that end, the Center for Social and Character Development at Rutgers has paired current or former New Jersey Schools of Character with schools seeking to build, refine, and sustain their programs. Using a coaching model, Coach and Partner schools reflect upon the current state of social and character education at their schools and develop goals to improve their programs.

To facilitate this process, the Center for Social and Character Development at Rutgers has developed Seven Guideposts for Building and Sustaining Successful Social and Character Education Programs, which will be used by both Coach and Partner schools to enhance vital components in the journey toward high quality.


Evaluation Design

The centerpiece of the evaluation component of the FCSCCE project will be based on the Seven Guideposts. The CSCD will assess the degree to which these Seven Guideposts were effective in helping Coach and Partner schools to focus their work on integral elements needed to foster change in school culture. Data will be collected through focus groups, journals, and observations by the project coordinator.

Additionally, the CSCD at Rutgers will be evaluating the coaching experience, which will help shape future projects.

Participating Schools


Memorial Middle School, Fairlawn, NJ (Coaching School)
Joseph E. Soehl Middle School, Linden, NJ (Partner School)
Linden School No. 4, Linden, NJ (Partner School)

Carl W. Goetz Middle School, Jackson, NJ (Coaching School)
Kenneth R. Olson Middle School, Tabernacle, NJ (Partner School)

Pequannock Valley School, Pompton Plains, NJ (Coaching School)
Oxford Central School, Oxford, NJ (Partner School)

Zane North Elementary School, Collingswood, NJ (Coaching School)
Hillsborough Elementary School, Hillsborough, NJ (Partner School)

Radix Elementary School, Williamstown, NJ (Coaching School)
Dr. William Mennies School, Vineland, NJ (Partner School)