Marion City Schools adopts Character Strong as districtwide SEL curriculum
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Summary
The Marion City Schools Board approved the purchase and districtwide rollout of the Character Strong social-emotional learning curriculum after a year-long review and a staff survey that favored Character Strong over alternatives.
The Marion City Schools Board of Education voted March 17 to adopt the Character Strong social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum for districtwide use.
District staff recommended Character Strong after a selection process that began in September 2024. Dr. Ogden, who led the review, told the board the district compared three curricula, conducted demos, placed materials in classrooms for teacher review and surveyed staff. "Our staff 70% wanted Character Strong, 30% wanted 7 Mindsets," Dr. Ogden said, and the recommended program is also about half the price of the alternative. The board approved the purchase in a roll-call vote that recorded all members voting yes.
The curriculum covers K–12 and emphasizes eight character traits — patience, kindness, humility, respect, selflessness, forgiveness, commitment and honesty — and aligns its lessons with CASEL’s five SEL competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. Dr. Ogden said lessons are short (10–15 minutes) and the committee recommended focusing initial expenditures on Tier 1 (classroom instruction) and Tier 2 (targeted supports), while continuing to rely on existing Tier 3 partnerships and staff resources for more intensive interventions.
Implementation details presented to the board call for consistent, K–12 language and a phased rollout: K–5 in classroom time; grades 6–8 lessons embedded in a workshop period or equivalent; and high-school implementation planned for the district's "what you need" period pending schedule alignment. Dr. Ogden said principals and teachers asked for common language across grade levels to smooth transitions and that teacher leaders and union representatives were engaged during selection.
Finance and logistics were discussed briefly: the district will purchase Tier 1 materials and plan professional learning; staff noted Character Strong met Ohio SEL standards. Board members encouraged close coordination so lessons integrate with existing PBIS and MTSS efforts.
The board voted to approve adoption and purchase of the Character Strong materials and recommended rollout and training; the motion passed on a unanimous roll call.
