Win recognition for your character education initiative by applying to be recognized in the State/National Schools of Character awards program. Every year, the Character Education Partnership (CEP) selects schools and districts (K–12) as National Schools of Character (NSOC) for their exemplary work in social-emotional and character development. The LSU AgCenter 4-H Program serves as the state sponsor for Louisiana.

The purpose of both the state and national awards is to honor exemplars in social-emotional and character education, showcase their work and facilitate their leadership in the field. National award winners receive a grant from CEP to fulfill their role as ambassadors of character education. They present at the Character Education Partnership's National Forum on Character Education and provide staff development and mentoring for other educators.

To learn more about the State/National Schools of Character or to download the application, visit http://www.character.org for details and sample applications. Four copies of the applications should be submitted by December 1, 2010, to Kimberly Jones, LSU AgCenter 4-H, Attn: SSOC, P.O. Box 25100, Baton Rouge, LA 70894-5100.

To learn more about the Promising Practices Awards or to download the application, visit http://www.character.org/promisingpracticesoverview. If you are interested in submitting the application on the state level, you will follow all the application guidelines, but you will need to submit a hard copy to: Kimberly Jones, LSU AgCenter 4-H, Attn: Promising Practices, P.O. Box 25100, Baton Rouge, LA 70894-5100, or submit an e-mail copy to Kimberly Jones. The Louisiana Promising Practices application deadline is March 1, 2011. The National Promising Practices application deadline is March 15, 2011 and should be submitted online at http://www.character.org/. 

For additional information regarding Louisiana State Schools of Character, please contact:

Kimberly Jones, 4-H youth development specialist, 225-578-2196