1. (a) Introduction.

   1. (1) Character education introduces students to character traits that empower them to be good citizens who are trustworthy, responsible, and caring. The character traits reflect positive beliefs, attitudes, and mindsets; provide opportunities for self-reflection; and permit students to apply effective strategies to make decisions, solve problems, and behave responsibly.

   2. (2) The standards for positive character traits are comprised of four strands: trustworthiness, responsibility, caring, and citizenship. Each strand consists of the following character traits.

      1. (A) Trustworthiness: loyalty, integrity, reliability, and punctuality.
      2. (B) Responsibility: accountability, perseverance, diligence, and self-control.
      3. (C) Caring: kindness, empathy, charity, generosity, patience, consideration, and compassion.
      4. (D) Citizenship: respect, courtesy, concern for the common good and the community, fairness, freedom from prejudice, justice, patriotism, school pride, respect for authority and law, and gratitude.
   3. (3) Students are expected to develop an awareness of self-identity as well as recognize multiple perspectives, difference and diversity, biases, and the social and cultural context in which they live.
   4. (4) The knowledge and skills for positive character traits are organized in the following grade bands: Kindergarten-Grade 2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12. However, due to the complexity of the concepts, student expectations and knowledge and skills statements cannot be taught, discussed, or viewed in isolation.
   5. (5) Statements that contain the word "including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.

2. (b) Knowledge and skills.

   1. (1) Trustworthiness. The student understands how personal responsibility relates to being trustworthy. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) identify and define traits of trustworthiness, including reliability and loyalty;
      2. (B) identify and practice strategies for being honest and punctual; and
      3. (C) define and identify examples of unethical behavior.

   2. (2) Responsibility. The student understands how personal choices are associated with responsibility. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) explain what it means to be responsible for personal decisions and actions;
      2. (B) describe positive and negative consequences of personal decisions and actions;
      3. (C) identify and demonstrate ways to practice self-control; and
      4. (D) describe the relationship between being responsible and being accountable.

   3. (3) Caring. The student understands how personal actions demonstrate characteristics of caring. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) describe how feelings impact decision making and behaviors;
      2. (B) explain how one can show patience, consideration, and compassion; and
      3. (C) define empathy and discuss the connection between empathy and charity.

   4. (4) Citizenship. The student understands that personal responsibility is associated with citizenship. The student is expected to:

      1. (A) describe the differences and similarities among gratitude, respect, and courtesy;
      2. (B) compare fairness and justice; and
      3. (C) discuss the importance of obeying laws and rules.

Source Note:The provisions of this §120.5 adopted to be effective August 1, 2021, 45 TexReg 7423.