Character Education Partnership Executive Director & CEO Esther F. Schaeffer Available for Interviews, Comment on 'Children and War'

3/31/2003

From: Esther Schaeffer of the Character Education Partnership, 202-297-7743, ext. 10, eschaeffer@character.org

News Advisory:

Children and young adults need resources to help them cope with and understand the current war in Iraq and possible terrorist threats at home. Current information and lesson plans are available at all student levels to assist parents and teachers in framing and guiding discussion and analysis of these daily unfolding events, according to the Character Education Partnership.

Esther F. Schaeffer, executive director and CEO of the Character Education Partnership, is available for comment and interviews on available resources and information to help children understand and cope with the current war in Iraq.

"It's a critical time in world events, and teachers and parents must keep a balanced approached in discussions about war and its aftermath, as well as terrorism," said Esther F. Schaeffer. "Now is the best time to engage students of all ages in ethics-intensive academic classes in which the instruction goes beyond facts and skills to consider the moral and social implications of what they are learning. The need to analyze current events applies to not only social studies, geography and literature, but also in the sciences and the arts."

Esther Schaeffer may be reached at 202-297-7743, ext. 10, via e-mail at eschaeffer@character.org or cell: 240-354-7781.

About the Partnership: CEP is the widely-recognized advocate and information provider of effective character development initiatives and serves as the leading resource for people and organizations that are integrating character education into their schools and communities. Located in Washington, DC, CEP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan and nonsectarian coalition established in 1993 that provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, provides research and resources to character educators, policymakers, education leaders, the media and the general public, while also setting high standards for the field, recognizing quality initiatives nationwide and striving to better serve its members.

Character education as an initiative in schools promotes the teaching and modeling of positive character traits, and is most effective when infused throughout the entire academic curriculum and school culture to support the ethical, social and emotional development of young people. CEPs Web site may be found at http://www.character.org/