This document explores the way in which courage, as a central virtue, and friendship, as a valued human state, have a significant place within the view of the education of character. Education of character is determined to bridge the gap between moral judgment and moral action. This paper has five sections. First, the need for character education…

This article discusses the possibilities of moral education through physical education. A brief overview of several moral education programs is presented with an emphasis on Kohlberg's cognitive development approach. An appeal is made to physical educators for greater concern and involvement towards this goal. (Author/DF)

This paper addresses the pros and cons educators may encounter if they are involved in a character education program. Those supporting a character education program offer the following reasons: (1) decline of a traditional family structure; (2) erosion of the values system of key institutions; (3) the position of schools as the second most…

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)

This paper offers suggestions for structural changes needed in the classroom to develop the moral side of students' lives. Curriculum designs often do not translate into moral behavior. A more systemic and philosophically pedagogical interest in moral development must begin to pervade classrooms in order to make them places where student ethical…

Discusses the role of conscience in moral decisions and several approaches to moral education. Indicates that moral development is an interactive process between children and their environment and that empathy, delayed gratification, and the courage to withstand social pressure must be encouraged in the moral education of youth. (MAB)

"Positive Action," a K-12 program, aims to promote character development, academic achievement, and social-emotional skills and to reduce disruptive and problem behavior. The program is based on the philosophy that you feel good about yourself when you think and do positive actions, and there is always a positive way to do everything.…

Offers a critical analysis of Kohlberg's moral development theory. Claims that the theory misses a level of operative structures and needs to have its stage descriptions revised. Concludes by considering instructional implications. (Author/JDH)

This paper examines the research literature on character education and advocates its inclusion in the public school curriculum. Research indicates a connection between a lack of moral and ethical development and destructive behavior among children. Sections of the paper include: (1) Introduction; (2) "The American Moral Heritage"; (3)…

Examines three areas of Lawrence Kohlberg's work and suggests that this information might have future application in the field of moral development. Discusses the cognitive model underlying morality, the exploration of other psychological constructs of morality, and the new approaches to moral education. (KO)

Discusses the weaknesses inherent in Sidney Simon's values clarification method and Lawrence Kohlberg's cognitive moral development method, suggesting that single class, isolated instruction overlooks the affective, unconscious elements of character formation. Recommends an alternative holistic approach based on John Locke's concept of all…

Lawrence Kohlberg's empirical research does not, in itself, justify the claim that his higher stages of moral development are more adequately moral than lower stages; consequently, using Kohlbergian interventions to promote student development through these stages is unjustified. Empirical research, while necessary for planning and executing…

Many educators seem reluctant to instill in their pupils good habits such as honesty, respect, and truthfulness. This book emphasizes how teachers can create schools in which students practice and exhibit respect and responsibility. Many problems in schools, homes, and society at large, arise from a lack of good character. To develop moral…

There is proof that caring can be taught and, that it can be programmed into the curriculum, with teacher training and administrative support, on a structured daily basis. Teaching children to care and raising the "CQ" or "Caring Quality" belongs in all education. Teaching children to care involves a number of techniques. These can be classified…

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)