Character Education:

Background and Discussion

• Background and Discussion National Organizations and Programs State Programs Resource Clearinghouses Research References

  Is Character Education the Answer?
  Education World School Administrators Article, 1999.
  "As incidents of in-school violence become more common, and strict disciplinary techniques and increased security measures fail to control the problem, many parents, educators, politicians, and social leaders are looking for reliable methods of prevention. Is character education the answer?..."
  
  
• Character Education. ERIC Digest.
  Evelyn Holt Odden, 9/2000.
  
  (Some points from this digest...
  • Those who say schools do not reinforce social values have failed to examine the underpinnings of the educational system and its expectations. Education is value-laden, as the society determines what will or will not be modeled. Morals are "caught, not taught," and "classroom life is saturated with moral meaning that shapes students' character and moral development."
  • In character education, the school community identifies the core values of the school and works to teach and reinforce those shared values within the students' lives. Consensus must be reached to develop the shared vision of what character traits should be fostered. Those character traits should permeate the child's learning environment, whether in the classroom, hallway, gymnasium, cafeteria, sports arena, or local restaurant. The character traits are part of the fabric of the whole community, and all stakeholders model the desired behaviors.
  • "To become grounded in basic values, students must see good examples in all aspects of school life and be taken seriously."
  • Some critics consider character education to be indoctrination in values contrary to those taught at home. If the selected values, however, are outcomes of decisions involving all stakeholders in the school community, then they should not conflict with those taught at home...
  • Many schools with successful character education programs have observed fewer disciplinary referrals for misbehavior, improved school attendance, fewer student drop-outs, and higher performance scores on standardized achievement tests. If schools become welcoming, supportive places for students, students are more likely to attend and stay on task. Student achievement is likely to improve...)
    
    
• Essays regarding the philosophical foundations of moral education, character education, values education...
  
  
  • Empathy and Morality
    Susan Verducci, Stanford University, Philosophy of Education 1999
    
  • The Role of Sympathy in Kant's Philosophy of Moral Education
    (This essay is a response to Verducci, above.)
    Michael B. Mathias, University of Rochester, Philosophy of Education 1999
    
    
• See what "Modeling Respect" looks like (in Web Video)
  • How to Pay Attention with Respect/Modeling Respect
    "Too often teachers and other adults expect children to be respectful in the way they talk to them but may actually model disrespect when they talk to children..."