Character-education program helps teens improve own behavior

In a skit on the day's highlighted virtue, honesty, Shayna Falwell (second from right) plays a dishonest salesperson with other Kenwood High ninth-graders (from left) Alex Mehall, Walter Scott, Zuryna Smith and Stevie Slaughter. (Baltimore Sun photo by Amy Davis / November 26, 2008)

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By helping students better understand 52 positive character traits such as honesty and self-discipline, educators at Kenwood High School in Maryland's Baltimore County are guiding them into better behavior instead of just punishing them when they misbehave. "Our kids are so used to all of us telling them what they did wrong," said teacher Nancy Hanlin, who helped establish the program at her school. "Instead of looking at the behavior, we're actually looking at the kids." The Sun (Baltimore)