An increasing number of schools across America are employing "character education" techniques in their classrooms. The aim is to instill in students qualities of respect, responsibility, trust and caring, according to advocates. They emphasize that character education isn't a separate curriculum or something that is added on, but woven into all aspects of the educational process.

• For example, students in a driver education course in one Utah school are responsible for grading their own exams -- a process which aims at instilling integrity.

• Other examples involve a physical education teacher emphasizing playing fair, or a science teacher sparking a debate about the ethical issues involved in genetic cloning.

• While some critics believe that moral values should be instilled through the family, Kevin Ryan, director for the Center for the Advancement of Ethics and Character at Boston University, protests that there are "an awful lot of kids who are not being taught anything at home."

• Experts say there are little data to measure the effectiveness of these programs, though items such as discipline and teen pregnancy can be examined for changes.

Ten states are receiving $2.7 million in federal grants under the Partnerships in Character Education Pilot Projects program to develop curriculum and train teachers in this area.