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In 2002, to better support the creation of such safe learning environments, ED’s former Safe and Drug-Free Schools Program was elevated to an Office within the U.S. Department of Education and given some expanded responsibilities—including oversight of the Department’s efforts to help build young people’s character and citizenship. U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige emphasized the link between school safety and character education when he announced the formation of the new office. “We must ensure that all students learn about citizenship and character in schools that are safe and free of alcohol and drugs, if we are to meet the lofty goals of the No Child Left Behind Act,” he said. “Folding all the programs that deal with these important issues into one office will enable us to better respond to the critical needs of schools in these areas and also help us to develop a comprehensive, broad-based strategy.” The importance of character education was echoed by Deborah Price, deputy under secretary of the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (OSDFS). “For kids to learn in the classroom, they must feel safe and have a sense of well-being,” she said. “If there is bullying, drug use, and an absence of a commitment to character, kids don’t learn.” “Most of our work at OSDFS is focused on creating positive climates for learning and giving students the tools they need to succeed in school,” explained Bill Modzeleski, OSDFS’s associate deputy under secretary. “Character education and civic engagement are important pieces of that work. We want people to understand that character education helps build a healthy school culture. It gives students a shared language about who they are and what they value.” OSDFS’s work in this area is conducted by the Character, Civic, and Correctional Education Group, a team that provides national leadership on issues and programs in character, civic, and correctional education, including reporting on issues and programs, disseminating information, and providing technical assistance to state agencies. The Group also provides grant assistance for citizenship and character education activities in elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education. For more information about OSDFS’s
work in the area of character, civic, and correctional education,
visit the OSDFS
Web site or
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