Character education involves direct instruction in basic values in response to a perceived decline of moral character in the U. S. Advocates argue that a child's ethical, social, and emotional development are as important as academic achievement. Critics charge that emphasized values are based on white, western, middle class norms and that character education programs fail to develop substantive understanding of the character trait beyond a basic definition.

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North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) maintains a website that details the state's goals for development of character qualities such as perseverance, respect, caring, courage, responsibility, and integrity.