This rule prescribes procedures for a competitive grant process to be used in selecting classroom(s), programs, sites within school districts, or entire school districts statewide to implement model comprehensive character programs.

(a) The State Department of Education shall identify and make grant awards to pilot sites based on the following criteria and the availability of funding: (1) Programs, sites or classrooms within school districts, or entire school districts shall be selected as a comprehensive character education pilot based on a competitive grant process. (2) The grant application shall be designed by the Oklahoma State Department of Education staff. Local Boards of Education shall submit the application to the SDE Grant Review and Selection Committee, Office of Innovation, Support, and Alternative Education. (3) A Grant Review and Selection Committee will be chosen by the State Superintendent. The committee shall identify the grantees who meet the criteria for selection to establish innovative pilot character education programs and make a recommendation to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education for approval and funding. The number of grants to be awarded will be based on the total appropriated funds. (b) Each school district applying for the Character Education grant shall: (1) Describe the process that will enable the classroom, program, site within the district, or the entire district to become a “pilot.” (2) Describe the strategies or methods that will promote and maintain a character education model. (3) Describe the materials, curricula and models to be used in the program. (4) Describe the leadership roles and expectations of program participants in the school district, program, classroom, or site. (5) Provide examples of communication and public relations efforts that will highlight the elements of character being promoted. (6) Describe the methodology as well as the commitment to submitting the data necessary to support being named to the Character Education Honor Roll. (7) Describe an objective procedure for documenting how the Character Education Grant program benefits the children served. Data and documentation will be collected, compiled and submitted to the State Department of Education. (c) Districts, programs, sites or classrooms within a district that successfully implement a comprehensive character education program will be eligible for recognition by the Oklahoma State Board of Education for the “Character Education Honor Roll.”

A. The board of education of every school district in this state may develop and implement a comprehensive program for character education in any single grade or combination of grades, prekindergarten through twelfth. The character education program shall focus on development of character traits in students. The program of character education may include, but shall not be limited to, the voluntary reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

B. The State Department of Education shall develop and make available to all school districts through an Internet website, the following:

• 1. Technical assistance upon request of a school district;
• 2. A list of approved research-based character education programs, curricula, and materials which may be used by school districts;
• 3. A character education honor roll that will recognize school districts that have successfully implemented a comprehensive school-district-wide program of character education and will highlight the positive impacts the program has had on each school or school district; and
• 4. A character education reading list of books that may include, but is not limited to, books that illustrate models of good character and books that relate to the development of good character traits that may be used by schools in a character education program.

Rubric recommends that schools implement social and emotional learning programs for all students that focus on self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making.