Background: Faculty in nursing and history at Creighton University directed two service-learning courses on the history and public health implications of lead (Pb) exposure in Omaha, NE. As part of their service requirements, students conducted or observed blood lead screenings in area schools and reflected on these shared experiences in…

Evaluation is defined by its central task of valuing--the process and product of judging the merit, worth, or significance of a policy or program. However, there are no clear-cut ways to consider values and render value judgments in evaluation practice. There remains contention in the evaluation field about whether and how to make value judgments.…

The moral reasoning development of college freshmen was investigated over the course of a semester. Participants were tested at the beginning of the semester and at the end of the semester and were either in a course that required active engagement in critical thinking (e.g. perspective-taking, reflection) about social and political issues or in a…

This issue's theme is "shifting paradigms" in family and consumer sciences (FCS) professional practice. This can mean that things in the world are moving around and changing, people are moving from one way of seeing the world to another, or some combination. The question posed for this issue was "What is FCS doing and how is what…

Describes a program for moral education designed for the education of democratic citizens who will make important decisions about what to do with their lives. The purpose of the suggested program is to develop reasoning skills and thought habits rather than to impart specific moral beliefs. (JOW)

Examines dilemmas caused when people seek to extend their moral community beyond themselves and their blood relations. Discusses limits of a moral community. Explores the entitlements included in an extended moral view. Discusses how this extension is achieved and who decides outcomes. Comments on when responsibility ends. (JS)

The Defining Issues Test (DIT), which utilizes the moral development stage theory of L. Kohlberg, was administered to 41 students from an upper middle class school district in Pennsylvania. The scores of students who elected to attend the alternative high school were compared with the scores of students who elected to attend the district's…

This book examines the nature of moral issues in education while attempting to provide both a clarification of the issues and suggestions as to what might be done in the social context. The job of the school is not to teach morals but provide students with appropriate ways to respond to moral issues and dilemmas. Suggestions are given for teaching…

An optimistic view of the potential of evaluation to be a force for social improvement is presented. The most important unfinished task for evaluation may be to expand the logic of value judgments. In addition, the social usefulness of evaluation will depend on its credibility and the professionalism of evaluators. (SLD)

Examines the black middle-class response to "The Cosby Show." The study asked about the portrayal of blacks in the media, but did not specifically ask about "The Cosby Show." Results from 100 respondents revealed two significant aspects: that the show renders black problems as irrelevant and that it fosters hope and optimism…

Reviews three studies of high school and college students' reasoning about nonprototypical issues in the context of the development and differentiation of evaluative domains. Considers possible answers to questions concerning the organization and functioning of moral thought in relation to the studies' findings. Suggests future directions for…

Examines the narrative and propositional approaches to teaching about tolerance in relation to moral and political controversial issues. Indicates that students gave the teacher higher approval ratings, perceived the teacher as more attractive, and remembered more when the teacher used the narrative approach to explain conflicting positions on an…

Three studies examined high school and college students' reasoning about issues of abortion, homosexuality, pornography, and incest. In the first study, groups differed in judgments about these issues but not about moral issues in general. Findings of second study paralleled those of first. Third study showed that assumptions associated with…

An original reformulation of the meaning, potential, and practice of educational leadership, informed by notions of self and social empowerment, is provided. This book relies on a variety of theories derived from philosophic schools such as hermeneutics, critical theory, deconstructionism, and pragmatism. Arguments are presented in the following…