WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Pat Roberts announced a $630,060 grant was awarded to the Kansas Department of Education to help schools teach the principals of character development and the responsibilities of citizenship. Kansas was one of only three states chosen to share a total of $1.4 million in grants.

"It is no surprise to me that Kansas was singled out to receive this
grant," Senator Roberts said. "Educators and students in Kansas have alwaystaken an active interest in learning about ethics and citizenship and I am happy this grant will enhance those efforts."

The Partnerships in Character Education Program awards grants to
eligible state and local education agencies to design and implement
character education programs that teach students core ethical concepts such as civics, citizenship, justice, responsibility, and respect for themselves and others. Grant recipients must show how they have integrated character education into classroom instruction and teacher training. They also must involve parents, students and the community in the process.

According to Kansas Commissioner of Education, Alexa Posny, the
funds will be used throughout Kansas in a statewide initiative aimed at
providing multi-tiered support to ensure students success in school and
throughout their communities.