1. Brandi Groves
21st Century Learning
Building character plays an important role in 21st century learning. Though character
education is not a new concept, in 1948 Martin Luther King Jr stated that, “We must remember
that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education”,
it is now important that educators begin to teach character education. A student will not be
successful if he/she lacks morals and knowledge of how to treat others. It is important for
schools to make sure that they are not only making sure the students are developing
academically, but that their character is developing as well. Character education plays a role in
providing that base for learning in school.
Character education is importance for multiple reasons. Students may not be being
taught this at home, so the teacher is then left with trying to teach the child integrity and
kindness. It also provides a way for students to build relationships since character education
involves thinking and discussing real-life things. Through character education, a positive school
environment is created. It is so important that eleven states have laws mandating the teaching
of character education. (Alabama, Arkansas,
California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Nebraska, Tennessee, Utah and Virginia).
By teaching character education, students are being challenged to behave in a positive,
caring manner. By changing the way children behave, the entire course of their lives can be
changed and go into a better direction. It is important to teach character education because it

2. will positively change the way future generations interact with one another. As Theodore
Roosevelt said, “To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to
society.”
Work Cited
Gurley, Laura. Why Character Education?. November 11, 2011. http://www.the-teachers-
lounge.com/blog/2011/11/why-character-education/
Character Education Partnership.
http://www.freedomforum.org/publications/first/findingcommonground/B13.CharacterEd.pdf