Character Education

Illustration using a wedding cake in the foreground, and in the background is an image of Candice Bergen, who plays the role of a single parent on the television comedy series "Murphy Brown," relaxes on the set of her Emmy-winning show during a live broadcast of the CBS "This Morning" show, Sept. 21, 1992. Bergen's character will return to her TV news anchor job and will respond to Dan Quayle's remark about glamorizing single motherhood when the show resumes its new season. (Chris Martinez/AP)
Some states want schools to teach students that they have a better shot at success if they work, get married, and have a child—in that order. Debates about these "family values" have evolved and resurfaced over the years. One firestorm happened in 1992, when TV character Murphy Brown of the eponymous comedy series, played by Candice Bergen, became a single parent—a development criticized by then-Vice President Dan Quayle as an example of "glamorizing" single motherhood.
Illustration by Education Week via Chris Martinez/AP + Canva
Student Well-Being & Movement Then & Now Schools and 'Family Values': A Reboot of a Familiar Debate
The "success sequence" is the latest in a long line of proposals to have schools take up responsible decisionmaking.
Evie Blad, April 10, 2026
5 min read
Illustration of a child with a backpack looking at game pieces and board from THE GAME OF LIFE.
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States 'Success Sequence' Urges Marriage, Then Parenthood. These States Want Schools to Teach It
The decades-old concept is getting new attention, largely from Republican lawmakers.
Evie Blad, April 3, 2026
6 min read
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Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion How Honest Are You? Your Students?
Angela Duckworth explains what research says about our ability to trust each other—and it might surprise you.
Angela Duckworth, April 5, 2023
2 min read
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Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion Has a Student Ever Caught You Being Less Than Honest? What to Do About It
It's about more than just telling kids to do the right thing, explains a behavioral economist.
Uri Gneezy, March 29, 2023
1 min read
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Student Well-Being & Movement Majority of Parents Say Kids Are Dishonest, Disrespectful, and Lazy
Parents are significantly concerned about the poor behavior of today's school-age kids and are looking to schools for help, survey shows.
Lauraine Langreo, January 24, 2023
3 min read
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Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion Don’t Try to Toughen Students Up, Research Says
How you see the world matters, but expecting the worst doesn’t prepare you for hard times.
Jer Clifton, April 27, 2022
2 min read
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Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion Just a Little Lie? Why There’s No Such Thing
A white lie might seem harmless, but research shows there are unexpected repercussions.
Tali Sharot, April 20, 2022
1 min read
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Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion Why Cheating Increased in the Pandemic and What to Do About It
Doing the right thing is more difficult in tough times. But you can help students strive to stick to their principles.
Angela Duckworth, April 13, 2022
2 min read
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Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion The Evidence-Based, Broadly Appealing Way to Teach Kids How to Succeed
There is broad-based support for teaching that getting a degree, job, and married—before kids—makes one more likely to avoid poverty.
Rick Hess, January 11, 2022
3 min read
Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion The Best Way to Teach Values to Kids, According to Research
Does it really matter what we say to kids, or is acting on our values enough? A new study tests the effectiveness of words versus actions on how students learn.
Angela Duckworth, November 11, 2020
2 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
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Student Well-Being & Movement Opinion What the Election Says About Character Education
Joe Biden says character is on the ballot, but we need more of it in our schools, argues Character.org president Arthur Schwartz.
Arthur Schwartz, October 12, 2020
4 min read
Student Well-Being & Movement Online Summit Character Education & COVID-19: How to Build Confident, Engaged Learners Now
Learn practical and promising approaches for incorporating elements of character education into educational experiences and why it matters.
September 22, 2020
BRIC ARCHIVE
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School & District Management Opinion A Conservative Agenda for School Board Members
School boards are well positioned to push back against so much of the influences of the "progressive" left on our schools and our society, write Michael J. Petrilli and Chester E. Finn Jr.
Michael J. Petrilli & Chester E. Finn Jr., March 17, 2020
5 min read
Student Well-Being & Movement These Schools Filled Vending Machines With Books. Will It Motivate Reading?
Principals and teachers hope these book vending machines will encourage good behavior and foster a love of reading. They might—but schools should make sure they don't discourage already reluctant readers, says one researcher.
Sarah Schwartz, February 28, 2020
4 min read