Congress Designates October 2025 as 'National Character Counts Week': What It Means for Schools and Families

This resolution officially declares the week starting October 19, 2025, as "National Character Counts Week." Essentially, Congress is putting a spotlight on the idea that teaching kids core ethical values is crucial for the nation’s future. They are specifically calling out the need for guidance from families, schools, and community groups to instill traits like trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

The 'Why' Behind the Week

Think of this as a national public service announcement, not a new law with teeth. The resolution (S. Res. 345, for those keeping score) stems from the belief that a nation is only as strong as the character of its people. They argue that these core values—which are supposed to cross all cultural and economic lines—don't just appear; they must be actively taught and modeled. This effort is seen as a necessary response to the growing challenges in youth development.

What This Looks Like in the Real World

Since this is a non-binding resolution, it doesn't mandate anything or allocate a single dollar of taxpayer money. Instead, it’s a call to action for voluntary participation. For a busy parent, this might mean that during that week in October 2025, your kid’s school or local youth sports league might dedicate a little extra time to talking about honesty or good sportsmanship. For community leaders, it’s an official nudge to organize events or programs focused on civic responsibility.

The resolution specifically encourages families, schools, youth groups, religious organizations, and civic groups to celebrate the week with appropriate activities. In practical terms, it gives cover and encouragement to existing character education programs. If your local school district already uses a curriculum focusing on these traits, this week becomes a good time for them to highlight that work to the community, maybe with a special assembly or project.

The Bottom Line: Awareness, Not Enforcement

Because this is a symbolic resolution, the impact is entirely focused on awareness and encouragement. It doesn't change any regulations, create new federal programs, or impose costs on anyone. It simply sets aside seven days to collectively agree that being a good person matters. This kind of resolution is low on policy impact but high on potential for community engagement, offering a chance for local groups to rally around shared values without bureaucratic interference.