Character Compass: How Powerful School Culture Can Point Students Toward Success

by Scott Seider

2013 American Educational Research Association's (AERA) Moral Development and Education Outstanding Book Award

In Character Compass , Scott Seider offers portraits of three high-performing urban schools in Boston, Massachusetts that have made character development central to their mission of supporting student success, yet define character in three very different ways.

One school focuses on students’ moral character development, another emphasizes civic character development, and the third prioritizes performance character development. Drawing on surveys, interviews, field notes, and student achievement data, Character Compass highlights the unique effects of these distinct approaches to character development as well as the implications for parents, educators, and policymakers committed to fostering powerful school culture in their own school communities.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, School

296 pages, Library Binding

First published September 20, 2012

Reviews

[Gordon Eldridge]

This book documents a research study conducted into the character education programs at three different schools in the Boston area. Each school focuses on a different type of character education and the comparison of the three models is insightful.

The research investigates the outcomes of the three programs, the main pedagogical levers used to achieve those outcomes and the attitudes of parents, teachers and students to the programs.

Overall the analysis is extremely enlightening and gives practical advice for schools thinking of prioritising character education. The only bizarre downfall is a recurring use of outdated Piagetian theory, which claims that younger students cannot think abstractly. This research has long since been superseded by an understanding that it is the depth of knowledge which enables abstract thinking, not a biological stage of development. Even young children can think abstractly, if they have gained he necessary knowledge base. The repeated reference to such an outdated idea is curious in such an otherwise insightful book.

[theelizzz]

I rarely read non fiction but this was required reading for my first graduate course.

I was pleasantly surprised by how fascinating this book was. It compared three schools in Boston with students from socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and how character education set the students up for academic and life success. These public schools they compare are ranked up there with schools in the state that cost over $30,000 a year; elite private schools. The books delves into how character education should be the metaphorical plate that all other academic subjects rest upon versus simply another thing to add to teacher's already overflowing plate of responsibilities.

Must read for educators, but especially administrators who truly have the power and position to make changes for an entire school that can impact student's lives forever.

[Jenna]

As a middle school educator, I am truly finding the value in having conversations with students that do not center on academics. My school has begun the process of implementing a program called Second Step and through this year I have noticed both the engagement to and resistance of this program from all people in my school's community. I am thankful that my master's program has included the reading of this text because it will help me to wrap my head around the value, or maybe lack thereof, of this program as we continue to implement it effectively.

[Krystle Lopez]

An incredibly good book for educators. It shares how character education needs to be taught along with curriculum. Even though it looks at three different charter schools, they are in a low socioeconomic environment. They give actual lessons and practices to help someone in a public school setting get started. Highly recommend! Will read again and again to keep motivated!

[Avery Ellison]

This is truly fascinating. 3 distinct and intentional focuses on character education at a middle and high school level with outcomes.

[Tami]

Read this for a grad school class. Interesting. It has inspired a lot of thought about what and how we're teaching our students.

[Taylor Gingery]

You Probably Didn’t Realize What You’re Already Doing!

I am a middle school teacher, and I have always tried to infuse character education into my curriculum. This book gave so many examples and approaches that will help me do so more effectively. I didn’t realize what I had been trying to do until this book articulated and defined it for me. Now, I feel I can be more intentional in my teaching!

[Chris]

Awesome survey and analysis of three distinct character development programs at top-notch schools in Boston.

[Bill]

For class (Developing Character Through Curriculum ). Every bit as exciting as it sounds.

[Brandy]

This book can be used as a spring board for developing character lessons in the school setting. Enjoyable, easy read with lots of research to validate ideas.