Skip to main content
VA Family Special Education Connection Home VA Family Special Education Connection Help VA Family Special Education Connection Facebook Page
Virginia Family Special Education Connection, sponsored by Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), is committed to providing web content that is accessible to all – including people with disabilities – and to meeting or exceeding all state and national accessibility standards. If you need assistance with accessibility, please contact us.
Virginia Family Special Education Connection site will be retired soon.

The Six Pillars of Character (Character Counts!)

Description:

The Six Pillars of Character are the core ethical values of CHARACTER COUNTS! These values were identified by a nonpartisan, secular group of youth development experts in 1992 as core ethical values that transcend cultural, religious and socioeconomic differences.

The six pillars are: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. CHARACTER COUNTS! recommends always using these pillars in this specific order to all the use of the acronym of T.R.R.F.C.C. to help remember each pillar.

TRUSTWORTHINESS

  • Be honest. Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal.
  • Have integrity. Do what you say you’ll do
  • Keep your promises.
  • Be loyal. Stand by your values.

RESPECT

  • Follow the Golden Rule.
  • Be accepting of differences.
  • Be courteous to others.
  • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements.
  • Be considerate of others’ feelings.

RESPONSIBILITY

  • Do what you are supposed to do. Try your best.
  • Persevere. Keep on trying.
  • Be self-disciplined.
  • Think before you act. Consider the consequences.
  • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes.

FAIRNESS

  • Play by the rules. 
  • Take turns and share. 
  • Be open-minded. Listen to others. 
  • Don’t take advantage of others. 

CARING

  • Be kind.
  • Be compassionate.  
  • Express gratitude.
  • Forgive others. Help people in need

CITIZENSHIP

  • Do your share to make your school and community better.
  • Cooperate.
  • Stay informed. Vote.
  • Be a good neighbor.
  • Make choices that protect the safety and rights of others.
  • Protect the environment.

Link(s):

Tag(s):

Behavior Collaboration Curriculum/Instructional Methods Elementary High School Middle School Parent/Family Preschool