|
Character Counts
It seems like it is almost everywhere! It is nearly
impossible to read the daily paper without reading headlines
of yet another glaring example of dishonesty. Scandal,
fraud, and corporate deception are a seemingly growing
phenomenon. Sadly, it is touching education as well.
According to a Josephson Institute survey of nearly 30,000
teens, 64% admit cheating on a test in the last year and
nearly 30% admit to shoplifting. Shockingly, 93% of these
30,000 teens reported feeling good about their own ethical
decisions. Clearly, some Americans have lost their moral
compass. For them, greed, competition or personal gain have
overshadowed what is right.
But not for everyone. In 2001, Chapin made a significant
commitment to working with parents to develop in our
students a strong moral code, a code to live by based on the
virtues of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Kindness and
Perseverance. Since that time our program has grown in
breadth and depth to a point that it is an integral,
essential part of a Chapin education.
Our last
two Parent Surveys demonstrate clearly that Chapin parents
seek a school that believes that character counts. In our
2006 Parent Survey 31% of parents responding reported that
the school’s Character Development Program was a deciding
factor in choosing Chapin for their child. In our most
recent 2008 Parent Survey, the percentage rose substantially
to 51%.
Although we will never reach a state of
perfection as individuals or as a school, we live in a world
in which it is ever more critical to help our students
understand the importance of honesty. This is a great
legacy that we can leave our children that will help them
become successful, productive members of society.
|
|
