"Within the character of the citizens lies the welfare of the republic"
                                                                                           Cicero    

"Only a virtuous people are capable of democracy”
                                                            Benjamin Franklin      

These two quotes underscore the critical importance of character to our democratic way of life.  Many character education programs treat “citizenship” as a primary shared value and place significant emphasis on its development.  In Ohio , the Social Studies Academic Content Standards contain the most direct mandate for and link to Character Education and the development of good citizenship.  In developing the standards, the Ohio Department of Education sought to provide teachers, students and parents with a set of common expectations for learning and to:

• “foster students’ ability to act responsibly and become successful problem solvers in an interdependent world of limited resources,

• help students develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for themselves and for the common good, and

• prepare students for their role as citizens and decision makers in a diverse, democratic society.” (Ohio Department of Education)  

OPCE has compiled resources to help Ohio educators integrate character education in the teaching of citizenship: