February 26, 2003, Introduced by Senators GARCIA, CROPSEY, BISHOP and GOSCHKA and referred to the Committee on Education.
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled
"The revised school code,"
(MCL 380.1 to 380.1852) by adding section 1163.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
1 Sec. 1163. (1) Not later than December 31, 2003, the
2 department shall develop and make available to school districts
3 and public school academies 1 or more model programs meeting the
4 requirements of subsection (2) that may be adopted and
5 implemented for the purposes of subsection (2).
6 (2) The board of a school district or local act school
7 district or board of directors of a public school academy is
8 encouraged to provide a comprehensive character development
9 program for pupils in each grade level it operates. All of the
10 following apply to this character development program:
11 (a) The character development program shall be secular in
1 nature.
2 (b) The character development program shall teach core
3 ethical values and character qualities such as honesty, fairness,
4 kindness, courtesy, compassion, acceptance, responsibility,
5 respect for self and others, respect for the property of others,
6 and service to others and to the community.
7 (c) The character education program shall be designed to
8 encourage each pupil to become a responsible, contributing member
9 of society.
10 (d) The character development program should be incorporated,
11 as much as possible, into each school's regular curriculum and
12 classroom instruction.
13 (e) The character development program should be integrated
14 into each school's procedures and environment to develop a school
15 climate that promotes positive character traits.