This document summarizes research on character education programs at three Boston-area schools: Boston Prep, Roxbury Prep, and Pacific Rim. It describes how each school cultivates moral and performance character through virtues programs and community engagement. Students at Roxbury Prep showed higher perseverance over time than those at other schools. Interviews suggest character building helps academic achievement. Sources on the relationship between character development and student success are provided.

1. A Review by Jim Freeley and
Samantha Zinno

2. •Dr. Scott Seider, Ed.D
is an Assistant
Professor of Education
at Boston University
and Lecturer at
Harvard University

3. He has taught
English
and Literacy at
Westwood High
School and Fenway
High School, as well
as served as an
administrator at
Fenway

4. He received his
undergraduate,
graduate
and doctoral degrees
from Harvard
University

5. He is also well-revered by his students:
"Seider is a great teacher, advisor, and
mentor. English methods and classroom
management REALLY prepares you for
real-life teaching. I can't imagine student-
teaching without his help, guidance, and
knowledge– I still use his notes in almost
all of my lesson plans!"
"Professor Sieder does the most difficult
thing a professor can do: make complex
and confusing concepts, articles, and
issues crystal clear. His gift for organized
and clear thinking is calming+helpful. His
class is also highly relevant and helpful to
any English Education majors, I highly
recommend it."
"Scott Seider is a god among
insects."

13. Quantitative
Measures of
Success

15. Boston Prep
Roxybury Prep
Pacific Rim

17. Boston Prep

18. Focus on MORAL character
Students form ethical and moral
relationships
Gain integrity, empathy and respect

19. 5 Key Virtues:
• Courage
• Compassion
• Integrity
• Perseverance
• Respect

23. Case Study #2
Roxbury Prep

24. Performance character is:
―…the qualities such as effort, diligence,
perseverance, a strong work ethic, a positive attitude,
ingenuity, and self-discipline needed to realize one’s
potential for excellence in academics, co-curricular
activities, the workplace, or any other area of
endeavor.‖

25. >

26. How can I help you improve your study skills?
How can I help you get involved in community service work?

27. Roxbury Prep students scored higher on
perseverance measures over a longer
period of time than students at Boston
Prep and Pacific Rim

28. ―You do get tired from the long days that
we have and carrying those big binders
around, but you learn more academically
than in other schools…‖
----Natasha, eighth grader at Roxbury Prep

29. THE THIRD AND
FINAL CASE
STUDY…
PACIFIC RIM

30. Civic Character at the
Academy of the Pacific Rim

31. Gambatte—to persist
or never give up
Kaizen—a commitment to
working for the continuous
improvement of the
community

33. We asked some fellow UNH
community members about their
views on character and its role in
education…

42. Character
Development
Student Achievement

43.  http://charactercounts.org/home/index.html
 http://youtu.be/Fo-FXyLan90
 Seider, Scott. (2012) Character Compass: How
Powerful School Culture Can Point Students
Toward Success. Cambridge MA: Harvard
Education Press
 Zsigray, D. (2014, 03 26). Interview by J Freeley.
 Isaak, K. (2014, 03 26). Interview by J Freeley.
 Sanzo, R. (2014, 03 26). Interview by J Freeley.
 http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/ShowRatings.j
sp?tid=1283711