Mrs. Bush's Character and Community Initiative
One of the best things we can do for our nation's future is to provide positive and
beneficial
experiences for growing children, especially during the vital formative years.
As Mrs. Bush visits communities across the country, she is promoting proven, accountable
programs that encourage parents to read to their children early and often, and urging
schools to use sound, research-based programs that will help prepare children for success in
school and life. She believes that what we do for children, beginning the day they are born,
has a direct and profound impact on their future and the future of our country.
Children who are prepared for reading and learning when they enter school are more likely to
succeed and stay in school. Tragically, children who do drop out of school are more than
twice as likely as successful students to be unemployed, arrested, or to engage in substance
abuse. Mrs. Bush also recognizes that schools and educators must teach more than just
reading, writing, and arithmetic; they must teach character.
Character education provides
children with the tools to develop moral and ethical strength, and it plays a vital role in
helping ensure that all children are prepared to succeed throughout their schooling, and in
life.
Mrs. Bush's Character Education Initiative encourages schools and school districts to
develop curriculum that teaches strong values, promotes high character, and develops a sense
of responsibility to the community. Mrs. Bush recognizes that strong values are shared by
good people of different backgrounds and faiths. And she believes it is our responsibility
to teach these universal values to children -- values that we share in
our diversity:
respect, responsibility, honesty, devotion to family, commitment, and compassion. It is
essential that these moral landmarks are taught with confidence and conviction because they
will guide America's children through a successful life.
Family is the first place these values are learned. And parents expect schools to be allies
in the moral education of our children.The lessons of the home must be reinforced by high
standards in our schools. Schools should be safe and orderly; they should be decent and
drug-free; and they should teach character by expecting character. They should be places
where rules are set and, more importantly, where rules are enforced, where students see values in action, are empowered with effective curriculum, and are
inspired to become active citizens who will shape the future of our nation.