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CHARACTER COUNTS! was initiated in South Dakota by the
Cooperative Extension Service of South Dakota State
University. It is the responsibility of the 4-H/Youth
Development program to provide technical and programming
support to communities to implement CHARACTER COUNTS!
and to assist communities in building local coalitions
to sustain the program.
South Dakota's
CHARACTER COUNTS!
Project
CHARACTER COUNTS! began in
South Dakota in 1996 under the direction of the SDSU
Cooperative Extension Service through Youth Development
/ 4-H. In partnership with the South Dakota State 4-H
Foundation, the project offers resources and training to
communities and schools across the state. Local
coalitions design and carry out programs to fit their
needs.
South Dakota was one of the first states to adopt
CHARACTER COUNTS! into 4-H and Extension. Extension
educators reach each of South Dakota's 67 counties, and
work with the project as needs are identified. Over 2500
adults and 700 youth have been trained to incorporate
the CHARACTER COUNTS! framework into youth and adult
settings. Now recognized as a leader in character
education, South Dakota has become a state to watch.
CHARACTER COUNTS! uses tried-and-true successful
teaching methods - discussion groups, role playing, art
projects, and more - to introduce the Six Pillars into
classrooms and youth groups ranging from elementary to
high schools. The language of CHARACTER COUNTS! is
consistent and easy to understand. When it is repeated
throughout all grades and throughout the community, the
repetition is a proven learning method.
In South Dakota, a statewide Project Leader located at
SDSU, and three Regional Coordinators, located across
the state, work to assist individual schools and
communities in starting, maintaining and evaluating
programs. Groups interested in training can choose from
a menu of options that can be specifically tailored to
fit needs.
South
Dakota CHARACTER COUNTS! web site |