Orange County Public Schools is a founding district partner with Character Lab as part of their research network. This partnership connects leading experts and scientists, like Angela Duckworth, with students and schools to improve educational practices and advance the science and practice of character development. We are working together with several researchers over the next few years to develop and test activities that encourage the development of character, motivation, and learning.
As part of the first district cohort in 2017-18 of 25 schools, our network schools have grown to 34. Middle, K-8, high, and alternative schools applied and have been selected to participate in this work. A staff member (e.g., classroom teacher, assistant principal or counselor) from each school is identified as a research lead and will help to coordinate character research for the year. In this role, the research lead will share information, facilitate research activities, contribute valuable feedback to improving systems, respond to requests for student and teacher participation, and manage materials needed.