Roughly 30 years ago, American educators stood at a crossroads, with a decision to make about the future of education. With their ears ringing of warnings that they were facing a "rising tide of mediocrity" and recognizing unacceptable gaps in achievement between disadvantaged students and others, educators set off down a path of reform…

Reviews criticisms of traditional personality theories and describes alternative, more inclusive, theories that teachers should consider adding to their courses. Suggests that teachers expose students to theories respecting diversity, feminist approaches, theories stressing relatedness, and the reformulations of traditional theories. (KO)

The Ohio State Department of Education has identified 10 basic values for which students are to strive. These individual character traits are compassion, courtesy, tolerance, honesty, self-discipline, diligence, responsibility, self-respect, courage, and integrity. This guide provides sample strategies for educators to help them to develop these…

Noting that the protective factors that support positive child development despite adversity are becoming better understood, this workbook discusses the importance of encouraging resilience in preschool children living in challenging circumstances and shows how to evaluate resilience through the use of checklists and background information. The…

This character-education guide, for grades Pre-K through 12, presents field-generated, field-tested ideas for integrating character education with daily learning. The ideas are varied in design, scope, and developmental levels, and range from half-hour lessons to schoolwide events to year-long courses. Each unit (50 in all) is built on particular…

The National School Boards Association proposed to the United States Department of Education a project, "Building Character in the Public Schools," designed to enhance character development in the schools through involvement of more than 15,000 local school boards in this country. The project had two overall goals: to heighten national awareness…

After explaining the development of the conscience, or "superego," as closely related to self-esteem, and produced through experiences with caregivers, this discussion indicates the nature of discipline and differentiates between discipline and punishment. Four principles assumed to operate in the development of conscience are specified.…

This character education guide, for grades Pre-K through 12, presents field-generated, field-tested ideas for integrating character education with daily learning. The ideas are varied in design, scope, and developmental levels and range from half-hour lessons to school-wide events to year-long courses. Each unit (50 in all) is built on particular…

Noting that the protective factors that support positive development despite adversity are becoming better understood, this workbook discusses the importance of encouraging resilience and promoting prosocial behavior in adolescents living in challenging circumstances and shows how to evaluate resilience through the use of checklists and background…

Noting that the protective factors that support positive development despite adversity are becoming better understood, this workbook discusses the importance of encouraging resilience in school-aged children living in challenging circumstances and shows how to evaluate resilience through the use of checklists and background information. The…

Growing public concern with student discipline, increases in student suicide rates, homicides, and high pregnancy rates of teenage girls are causing educators to give renewed attention to the concept of "character development" in public education. (MD)

Identifies goals of character development for elementary school children. Offers four processes that promote positive social growth and moral maturity: (1) building self-esteem and a sense of community; (2) learning to cooperate and help others; (3) reflecting on moral choices; and (4) participating in decision making. Suggests how teachers have…

Responds to an article by David Dewhurst which argued that self-esteem is not always related to comparisons between oneself and others. Contends that personal qualities such as kindness and generosity are as important in developing self-esteem as achievement and competence. Concludes that both approaches are necessary if students' self-esteem is…

Discusses David Dewhurst's contention that students' self-esteem is best improved through self-acceptance rather than by comparisons with others. Argues that some comparisons are essential to the concept of self and therefore are important to self-esteem. Concludes that some students may have low self-esteem because they accurately assess their…

Explores two dichotomies that depict moral education and examines the strengths and weaknesses of the four principal orientations to moral education. Provides an integrated theory of moral education that incorporates both sides of each dichotomy providing necessary dimensions to research, theory, and practice of moral education. (Author/DB)