1.Character Education tends to focus on one value per month. We have discovered that unless there is an annual theme with one focus for the entire year kids do not internalize the learning.

2. Without a clear reference point such as the eyes and ears for respect, the mouth for making and keeping agreements (Integrity), the heart for leading with compassion and empathy, kids do not remember the concepts.

3. Our research also reveals that Character Education tends to only give kids information on values and virtues rather than using a process to develop character. Character Education falls short where character development delivers results.

4. We believe that character traits are best learned when you teach children to act your way into value driven lives rather than depend on your feelings to make you more respectful. In other words, kids draw various slips of paper out of the Acts of Respect Jar to model virtues for the day.

5. Character is developed when a person is tested and challenged. It is through adversity that we discover what really matters.

If kids do not internalize the learning, use processes to develop character, be presented with real life scenarios that one can act on and take a position on, be tested and challenged through adversity, then it