Besides the four 'Rs' --- reading, 'riting, 'rithmetic and religion, several local Catholic elementary and high schools will add a new component to their curriculum this fall: "Character Counts!"

Founded by Michael Josephson, who heads the Los Angeles-based nonprofit Josephson Institute of Ethics, Character Counts! uses a nonpartisan "language of values" to promote character development known as the "Six Pillars of Character": trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

"The reason we like the program is because the six pillars of character are universal. They are values we can all agree on," said Nancy Coonis, archdiocesan superintendent of secondary schools. Since January, 77 teachers and administrative staff members from 23 schools in the archdiocese have attended three-day training sessions offering a Catholic version of Character Counts!, which incorporates Catholic moral teaching, scripture passages and quotes from Catholic saints.

"We would like to be the first diocese in the country where the program is totally integrated," said Coonis. "Each school is free to integrate Character Counts! the way they want --- some schools focus on a different pillar each week."

Dan Horn, principal of St. Genevieve High School in Panorama City, has seen a significant growth in maturity from members of the student body since he brought Character Counts! to the school five years ago.

"Having a character education program has transformed our school," said Horn. He credits it with creating a welcoming environment that doesn't tolerate student hazing or bullying. "The students see the atmosphere of the school as just as much their responsibility as the administrators."

This summer, seven St. Genevieve students participated in a national "Operation Respect" forum held in Washington D.C. along with students from three other schools with character education programs. "It was a life changing experience for them," said Horn. "More and more, the students want the opportunity to be leaders." Horn is preparing two more groups of student ambassadors who will travel this fall to Atlanta, Georgia, and San Antonio, Texas, to speak on the benefits of character building programs.

"I'm passionate about Character Counts!," said St. Bernard High School economics teacher, Ron Rishagen, who incorporated the program in his classes after attending the January archdiocesan-sponsored training session. According to Rishagen, the program has resulted in positive changes among the students in the areas of academic performance, behavior and relationships, including relationships with parents.

"The students enjoy it so much. They learn social graces and how to respect each other. They also learn the consequences of such actions as cheating and lying," said Rishagen, a retired businessman who decided to go into education five years ago. "I personally am a changed person [from teaching Character Counts!] and I'm 62," added Rishagen.

The Character Counts! program will be expanded to all classes for the upcoming school year. Over the summer, Rishagen produced a compact disc for his fellow teachers with samples of Character Counts! exercises and worksheets that can be used in the classroom. The CD also contains revealing essays from students about the impact of the Character Counts! program.

"The program has changed my character because I am nicer to others and I think about their feelings," wrote one student. Another confided: "I have become more responsible and [I] began trusting other people more." Still another admitted: "'Responsibility' has changed me because my grades are way better. Before I wouldn't do my homework and I would be worried the next day because I would try to do it in other classes but now I go home and do my homework and feel much better knowing I am prepared to be in class."

"I would encourage every educator to get into the program because it works and life is so much more pleasant for everyone in the classroom," said Rishagen.

For more information on Character Counts!, log on to www.charactercounts.org.