A growing number of schools across the United States are adding kindness classes to their curriculum, teaching students character development alongside traditional academic subjects like reading, writing and mathematics.

The program, called Kindness 101, incorporates stories from CBS News' "On the Road" series as teaching materials to help students learn about kindness and character. These real-world stories are paired with structured lesson plans developed by educators.

The curriculum is created through a collaboration with "Character Counts!," a nonprofit organization based at Drake University in Iowa. The organization develops educational materials specifically designed to teach character education in school settings.

According to reports from participating schools, students have responded positively to the program. One student noted that the classes inspire them to become a better person, suggesting the curriculum is having its intended effect on student attitudes and behavior.

The initiative represents a broader trend in education where schools are expanding beyond core academic subjects to address social and emotional learning. By using contemporary news stories as teaching tools, educators aim to make character education more relatable and engaging for students.