2008 Illinois Schools of Character

Application Deadline:  December 3, 2007 (postmarked)

University of Illinois Extension and Character Education Partnership (CEP) are pleased to announce the 2008 Illinois Schools of Character (IL -SSOC) competition. Many states including Illinois are now conducting a SSOC competition as a preliminary step to advancing to the Character Education Partnership’s (CEP) National awards program, the NSOC awards.  The Illinois Schools of Character program is supported by the Illinois State Board of Education.

The IL SSOC and NSOC applications are the same.  However, if your school or district is located in Illinois, you must apply directly to the University of Illinois Extension, not to CEP. 
Every year, CEP names 10 public and private schools and districts (K-12) as National Schools of Character (NSOC) for their outstanding work in character education.  The Illinois School of Character winner will advance to the National School of Character award competition.  In 2008, winning NSOC schools and districts will receive a $20,000 award!

Documents Needed to Apply

• How to Complete the SSOC Application (PowerPoint)
• Application Cover Sheet
• Application
• Revised Character Education 2006 Quality Standards/Self Assessment Score Sheet
• Eleven Principles of Effective Character Education
• Guidelines for School Districts in Fostering Character Education (for school districts only)

For more information about the Illinois State Schools of Character awards program, contact Judy Taylor at IL-SSOC@uiuc.edu.