Sanford N. McDonnell

Sanford N. McDonnell is chairman of the Character Education Partnership, a national coalition of organizations and individuals working to implement a public school curriculum that teaches ethical values. In the following viewpoint, McDonnell contends that such a curriculum would teach young people the importance of honesty, responsibility, respect, and hard work. The character education programs already in existence have improved student behavior, he maintains, as well as academic performance.

Editor’s note: This article, which originally appeared in the Wall Street Journal, was signed by more than two dozen of the Character Education Partnership’s advisory board, including Barbara Bush and Jesse Jackson.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to McDonnell, what is the answer to overcoming today’s national crisis of character?
2. What impact did character education have...