​The School for Ethical Education has been administering the Laws of Life essay program for Connecticut students since 2000. Public and non-public school participants have recognized the great value in having students write from the heart to identify their laws of life. The program was established by Sir John Templeton in 1987. With the support of the Templeton Foundation, a national Laws of Life essay program has been facilitated as an effective writing and character-building activity with students participating from nations around the world.
Benefits of Laws of Life Participation
  • Provides students the opportunity to write, reflect and discuss their values with peers,
  • ​teachers, parents and others
  • Motivates students to “write from the heart” to produce excellent narratives
  • Integrates the writing process with effective character education
  • Encourages schools to obtain community support to recognize student writing
  • Provides schools a positive opportunity to recognize students’ values
  • Promotes a sense of positive community within the classroom
  • Prepares students for writing process on standardized tests (CMT and CAPT)
  • Fits easily into any writing curriculum (Language Arts/English, History, Social Studies, Health)
  • Encourages students of all writing ability to participate
  • Provides lesson outlines to prompt Laws of Life essays from literature assignments
During the 2015-16 school year, approximately 3,200 writers participated in the Laws of Life essay program. On May 4, 2015 over 130 guests celebrated with the Laws of Life essayists in New Haven, Connecticut. The evening theme was a "Character Celebration!" as SEE celebrated the 16th year of the Laws of Life essay program.

Connecticut's ten essay finalists, family members, teachers and statewide judges were invited to participate in the celebration. One student volunteered to read her essay. She focused on the need to develop perseverance and not give up on goals in life. All of the top ten students' essays are published in the 2016 Celebration Program.

Laws of Life has been approved for implementation in Connecticut schools by Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) and endorsed by National School Boards Association and is on the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ National Advisory List of Student Contests and Activities.​

​​"Ethics in action creates character."