ABOUT CHARACTER COUNTS!

One of Miss Illinois 2007 Ashley Hatfield’s official platforms as Miss Illinois is CHARACTER COUNTS! and promoting the Six Pillars of Character in today’s youth. CHARACTER COUNTS! is the most widely implemented approach to character education, reaching millions of youth. CHARACTER COUNTS! is...

...a framework based on basic values called the Six Pillars of Character:

TRUSTWORTHINESS
RESPECT
RESPONSIBILITY
FAIRNESS
CARING
CITIZENSHIP 

...embraced by thousands of schools, communities, public agencies and nonprofit organizations for a simple reason – it works. These groups receive support and development from a national office, which offers training programs, free e-newsletters, resources and free consultation. 

...nonprofit, not religious or political (though used by both secular and faith-based groups, and supported by public officials of both major parties). 

...not a curriculum or add-on, but a powerful means to advance curricular and behavioral goals.