The Maryland State Department of Education is encouraging schools to develop character education programs.

The programs are meant to teach young people ethics and qualities like responsibility good citizenship, kindness and respect.

Jessica Forres toured Newport Mill Middle School in Kensington where character education is part of the curriculum...

Boomp3.com'>LISTEN TO THE STORY THAT AIRED ON WAMU RADIO

Every morning, students hear Tim Rossini's voice over the PA system. He is a resource counselor at the school.

I DO WHAT'S CALLED THE WORDS OF WISDOM IT'S AN INSPIRATIONAL PROGRAM LOOKING AT DIFFERENT CONCEPTS LIKE MAYBE SELF-RESPECT.

His inspirational speaches always end in these words...

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY OR NOT, THE CHOICE IS YOURS AND REMEMBER EVERY DAY COUNTS AT NEWPORT MILL.

Maria Ortiz, a seventh grader, is inspired by his announcements.

MAKES US FEEL HAPPY AND HELP US MORE DURING THE SCHOOL DAYS AND YA WE BELIEVE IN OURSELVES MORE.

In 2007, the middle school won the National School of Character. The award prompted Rossini along with other educators to write a book on character education for other schools to use as a guide.

ALMOST A HOW TO BOOK ON SETTING UP AND RUNNING A CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRM FOR AN ENTIRE SCHOOL DISTRICT. IT STARTS WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THINGS THAT THEY CAN DO TO GET A CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRAM STARTED.

Nearly 2-thousand books have been published and have been sent out to school districts across the state of Maryland.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News

__________________________________________________________

The Maryland State Department of Education has unveiled a new book that will guide schools on how to implement character education programs.

Jessica Forres explains...

Boomp3.com'>LISTEN TO THE STORY THAT AIRED ON WAMU RADIO

In Kensington, Christopher Anderson is the president of the PTA at Newport Mill Middle School...named a National School of Character in 2007 for its character education program.

He says his daughter...who is a student...learns about values such as treating others with respect.

ONE TIME THEY HAD A WORKSHOP ON BULLYING AND SHE ACTUALLY CAME HOME AND SAID I KNOW I WAS BULLIED IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The program's success at Newport Mill prompted the state's Department of Education to introduce a book about successful district and school programs in Maryland.

Paula McCoach is the character education specialist at MSDE.

IT'S ABOUT BEING INTELLIGENT ALSO ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO, WHAT DECISIONS YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE. AND HOW YOU'RE GOING TO LIVE YOUR LIFE.

She says every school district in Maryland will receive a copy of the book.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News.