1Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study
2school districts' establishment and implementation of
3character education programs pursuant to section 1502-E of
4the act of March 19, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the
5Public School Code of 1949, and the Department of Education's
6fulfillment of its duties and powers pursuant to section
71503-E of the act and make recommendations with respect to
8character education for elementary and secondary students in
9this Commonwealth.

10WHEREAS, It is important that children in this Commonwealth
11learn to be ethical, responsible and caring citizens; and

12WHEREAS, Section 1502-E of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30,
13No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, added July 4,
142004 (P.L.536, No.70), permits the board of school directors of
15a school district to establish and implement a character
16education program in its schools, which may include and teach
17the following basic civil values and character traits:

18(1)  trustworthiness, including honesty, integrity,
19reliability and loyalty;

20(2)  respect, including regard for others, tolerance and
21courtesy;

1(3)  responsibility, including hard work, economic self-
2reliance, accountability, diligence, perseverance and self-
3control;

4(4)  fairness, including justice, consequences of bad
5behavior, principles of nondiscrimination and freedom from
6prejudice;

7(5)  caring, including kindness, empathy, compassion,
8consideration, generosity and charity; and

9(6)  citizenship, including love of country, concern for
10the common good, respect for authority and the law and
11community mindedness;

12and

13WHEREAS, Section 1503-E of the act, added July 4, 2004
14(P.L.536, No.70), assigns certain powers and duties to the
15Department of Education with respect to character education,
16including establishing criteria and guidelines and providing
17school districts with resources and technical assistance with
18respect to the establishment and implementation of character
19education programs; therefore be it

20RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
21Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study of
22the status of character education in the public schools of this
23Commonwealth; and be it further

24RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
25seek input from the Department of Education and the school
26districts of this Commonwealth in conducting its study; and be
27it further

28RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
29include the following in its study:

30(1)  The number of school districts in this Commonwealth

1that offer a character education program.

2(2)  The nature of the character education programs that
3are offered by school districts in this Commonwealth.

4(3)  The actions the Department of Education has taken to
5comply with section 1503-E of the act, including a review of
6the criteria and guidelines established by the Department of
7Education and the resources and technical assistance the
8Department of Education provides to school districts with
9respect to the establishment and implementation of character
10education programs.

11(4)  Recommendations with respect to character education
12for elementary and secondary public school students in this
13Commonwealth, including recommended legislation;

14and be it further

15RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee
16report its findings and recommendations to the House of
17Representatives no later than <-December 31, 2013 six months after 
18adoption of this resolution.