SCHOOLS TO TEACH CHARACTER LAUSD LAUNCHES CURRICULUM-BASED PROGRAM TO INSTILL ETHICS IN STUDENTS.

Byline: Joseph Giordono Staff Writer

Worried about violence, guns and alcohol on campus, school officials in the south San Fernando Valley on Wednesday launched one of the nation's largest character education programs.

``Character Counts!'' a curriculum-based program created by Los Angeles ethicist Michael Josephson, calls for school honor codes, anti-profanity lessons and a signed commitment to six core values that include trustworthiness, caring and respect.

The program will begin July 1 in District C, which serves 75 elementary, middle and high schools in the South San Valley in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Officials unveiled the program at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys.

``This is something that we can and should be teaching,'' said Josephson, whose program is used by schools nationwide including those in Glendale and the Santa Clarita Valley. ``The fact of the matter is, we are a country that takes the ritual of things like the Pledge of Allegiance and forgets the underlying meaning.''

Bob Collins, District C superintendent, said the program is in response to parent and community concerns about student conduct and school safety. A survey released by the Josephson Institute of Ethics earlier this year found that a large percentage of students views physical violence as an appropriate way to handle a disagreement.

``The point, really, is that we graduate and matriculate young people who are not only scholars, but young people we can be proud of for the content of their character,'' Collins said.

Under the program, students will learn six values - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. In addition, all schools will adopt an honor code, anti-profanity program and disseminate contracts signed by parents and students pledging to maintain good character.

Collins could not say how much the program would cost to implement at all District C schools, but said officials were actively seeking grants to supplement any district expenses.

The subdistrict will evaluate the effectiveness of the program after its first year, though it was unclear what criteria would be used.

``We do not intend to implement a program that we cannot evaluate,'' Collins said.

Los Angeles Police Department officials said they will work with ``Character Counts!'' and participating schools in a yet-to-be determined capacity.

``In the long run, this is going to make my job easier,'' said Ron Bergmann, deputy chief of the LAPD's Valley Bureau. ``We are talking about a major behavioral change in our young people.