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Trustworthiness. Respect. Responsibility. Fairness. Caring. Citizenship.
 These aren't just words. These are the "six pillars of character" identified in the Character Counts! initiative, a program aimed at school-aged children, parents and teachers.
APS is working hand-in-hand with the Arizona Department of Education and the Character Education Foundation to establish the character-building curriculum for this unique program.
The messages of Character Counts! advocate core ethical values that transcend political, religious, class and ethnic divisions. The program got its start as a result of the Josephson Institute of Ethics' conference at the Aspen Institute in 1992 for the purpose of exploring the cause of the perceived decline of ethical behavior in recent years.
According to the Arizona Department of Education, character education programs have proven successful, both nationally and here in Arizona. There is dramatic evidence these programs help improve school attendance, behavior, sportsmanship in athletics, and academic performance.
"Schools that are trained in the Character Counts! program typically experience an increased level of respect, improved commitment to personal responsibility, and up to a 90 percent decrease in disciplinary referrals in one year," said Tammy Linn, president of the Arizona Character Education Foundation and deputy associate superintendent, Arizona Department of Education.
APS Community Development Consultant Louise Moskowitz says that the Character Counts! program has been successful in reaching children throughout the majority of the Metro-Phoenix area. In addition, APS also sponsors workshops that are designed specifically for adults.
"At APS, we believe in supporting education, specifically the core values offered through Character Counts!," she says. "By making this program available through schools, community centers and youth centers, we are reaching the future leaders of Arizona. If we can cultivate a great educational system that is based on these six pillars of character, our state will flourish in the coming years."
APS' support for the community reaches beyond the Metro-Phoenix area. Recently, APS kicked off the Character Counts! program on the steps of the Yavapai County Courthouse in Prescott. This was a truly appropriate location because the front of the courthouse has exactly six pillars.
"We were very excited to launch this program in our community," said Mike Johnsen, APS northwest division community development manager. "We rolled this program out to all of the school districts in the Prescott area, and school officials are reporting that the six characteristics of the Character Counts! program are becoming part of their students' daily lives. When you begin to hear about and see the resulting success, you just know you're making a positive impact on the community. We are very proud to be part of that and we consider it our duty as a community partner."
"APS is truly a leader in their support of character education in Arizona," says Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. "Because of APS' support and leadership, we have been able to train thousands of teachers and students in character development. The impact of their contribution will benefit us today and for years to come."
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