(a) Authorization.--The board of school directors of a school district may establish and implement a character education program in its schools.
(b) Curriculum contents.--The program may include and teach the following basic civil values and character traits:
(1) Trustworthiness, including honesty, integrity, reliability and loyalty.
(2) Respect, including regard for others, tolerance and courtesy.
(3) Responsibility, including hard work, economic self-reliance, accountability, diligence, perseverance and self-control.
(4) Fairness, including justice, consequences of behaviors that impede the learning of self or others, principles of nondiscrimination and freedom from prejudice.
(5) Caring, including kindness, empathy, compassion, consideration, generosity and charity.
(6) Citizenship, including love of country, concern for the common good, respect for authority and the law and community mindedness.
(c) Additional elements.--The program may also include and teach the importance of a service ethic and community outreach.
(d) Character education advisory group.--
(1) If a board of school directors elects to establish the program, the board of school directors shall develop the program in consultation with a character education advisory group. The board of directors of a school district shall appoint the members of the character education advisory group.
(2) A character education advisory group shall consult with and advise the board of school directors in the development of the program. The members of the character education advisory group shall elect a chairperson of the group.
(3) The board of school directors shall appoint to the character education advisory group no less than two representatives from each of the following groups:
(i) Parents and legal guardians of students in the school district.
(ii) Teachers and administrators employed by the school district.
(iii) Other members of the community where the school district is located, including social, cultural, business and religious leaders.
(4) The board of school directors shall:
(i) Cooperate and consult with the character education advisory group.
(ii) Provide assistance and relevant materials to the character education advisory group.
(5)(i) The character education advisory group shall consult with and advise the board of school directors until such time that the program is fully developed and deemed completed.
(ii) The board of school directors shall have the sole authority to determine the completion of the program and may elect to continue the duration of the character education advisory group for up to two additional years for the purpose of receiving consultation and advice from the character education advisory group regarding the school district's implementation of the program.
(e) Integration of concepts into total curriculum.--The program shall be integrated into the school procedures and environment and structured to instruct primarily through example. Classroom instruction may also be used to supplement the program.
