Educators from across the country are in Atlanta this week to learn about teaching kids to do the right thing.

Atlanta is known nationally for schools where adults did the wrong thing an awful lot, leading to one of the nation's largest cheating scandals.

But Character.org, which is dedicated to bringing character education to students and schools throughout the United States, is holding its annual conference in Atlanta this year. Character education includes an emphasis on moral development — "learning to do the right thing because it's the right thing to do," Character.org President Becky Sipos told the AJC.

Sipos said holding the conference had more do to with the city’s accessibility than with Atlanta Public Schools’ history. But she said her group is “very sensitive to the cheating scandal.

“The scandal shows that Atlanta educators, just like many across the nation, have not thrived under the intense focus on standardized testing and are probably hungry for better solutions,” she said.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Oluwamodupe “Dupe” Oloyede, the FAMU Marching 100 head drum major, stands at attention ahead of the halftime performance at homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 18. 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. At many historically Black colleges and universities, the marching band is as popular on campus as the football team. (Tia Mitchell/AJC)

Featured

Housing affordability is the top concern for metro Atlanta residents, according to a new survey. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren