New Jersey Schools of Character

Project Description:
Through a grant from the John Templeton Foundation, the Character Education Partnership (CEP) has expanded its award program to include State Schools of Character(SSOC). Several states, including New Jersey, are now conducting SSOC competitions as a preliminary step to advancing to the National Schools of Character (NSOC) awards.

How does the State Schools of Character process work? The purpose of this tiered approach is to allow more schools and districts to be recognized and to provide exemplary sites within states to serve as models for other educators. Modeled after the NSOC awards program sponsored by CEP, the Center for Social and Character Development at Rutgers University (CSCD @ RU) and New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) have created the New Jersey Schools of Character awards program (NJSOC).

The NJSOC program recognizes schools or districts that excel in exemplifying CEP's Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education® and demonstrate an outstanding character education initiative that yields positive results in student behavior, school climate, and academic performance. Selected NJSOC winners may advance to the national level competition.

Named as CEP's first state affiliate site in July 2005, the Center for Social and Character Development at Rutgers University (formerly known as NJCCE) piloted the first State Schools of Character award program in 2006. The 2008 NJSOC process involved a two-tiered evaluation process before applications could advance to the national level. All applications were first reviewed by an initial panel of individuals knowledgeable in the field of character education. The second evaluation was conducted by a Blue-Ribbon Panel of experts to determine the winners of the NJSOC and those who would proceed to the 2008 National Schools of Character competition.

How to Participate
New Jersey schools interested in applying for the State Schools of Character must apply directly to the Center for Social and Character Development at Rutgers University (formerly the New Jersey Center for Character Education).  2009  application guidelines and complete details will be available  in June 2008.  Click here to learn more about the State Schools of Character program.

New Jersey Schools of Character (NJSOC)
Click Here to view the New Jersey Schools of Character Award Program Winners