15-154.01. Character education matching grant program

A. Any public or charter school that teaches a character education curriculum pursuant to section 15-719 is eligible for a state matching grant. The school shall provide matching monies from any lawful source, except that the school shall not use resources obtained from a federal character education grant as matching monies to obtain a second state character education grant.

B. The character education program shall be an age-specific, stand-alone character education curriculum with the following elements:

1. Applicable definitions for character qualities that include at least five of the following attributes:

(a) Attentiveness.

(b) Caring.

(c) Citizenship.

(d) Compassion.

(e) Diligence.

(f) Discernment.

(g) Forgiveness.

(h) Generosity.

(i) Gratefulness.

(j) Initiative.

(k) Orderliness.

(l) Respect.

(m) Responsibility.

(n) Sincerity.

(o) Trustworthiness.

(p) Virtue.

(q) Wisdom.

2. Activities that provide a forum for practical application and an environment in which character-related behavior is identified, recognized and reinforced, such as literature or visual media presentations or discussion of character values as they relate to a specific story.

3. Stories from the lives of our nation's leaders in which character qualities are demonstrated.

4. Mentors or teachers who demonstrate the character qualities defined in the lessons presented.

5. Mentor and teacher training for praising students who demonstrate specific character qualities.

6. A precourse and postcourse survey of parents, teachers and students on their assessment of the program.

C. The department of education shall administer the program and distribute the state matching grant monies. The department may annually retain up to seven per cent of the state matching grant monies for the cost of administering the program. Programs must demonstrate proven and effective curriculum and training to receive matching grant funds.

D. The department of education shall distribute the state matching grant monies under this section for services provided by organizations that have been previously preapproved as providers of proven and effective programs. Grant applications submitted by schools:

1. Shall be submitted to the department of education and shall list a selected preapproved program provider.

2. Shall be fairly and objectively reviewed and approved by a technical evaluation team that is appointed by the procurement division of the department of education and that is composed of representatives from the department of education, the education community, the business community and nonprofit organizations.

3. Are subject to the procurement laws of this state.

E. The department of education shall apply for all applicable character education grants from the federal government.

F. The department of education shall evaluate the effectiveness of all character education programs funded by state and federal resources.