What is man? How do people differ in terms of their biological and psychological characteristics? What determines their thoughts, desires, and actions? These eternal questions, which have confronted thinkers and scientists since antiquity, relate directly to problems of upbringing. Under current conditions, it is increasingly obvious that to…

Contends that the development and use of moral imagination helps students become sensitive to social justice issues and should be encouraged. Asserts that this process will encourage students to become cognizant of the tension between private beliefs and public behavior. (CFR)

Reprints the California State Board of Education's resolution to endorse Character Counts! Week. Asserts that all educators are obliged to awaken youth to the moral and ethical values that build a fundamental strength of character. Identifies elements of character that are embedded in all curriculum frameworks. (MJP)

These papers by four social scientists were prepared for a conference to analyze the current absence of a value consensus in American life and to examine grounds for a consensus. Further, the contribution of education and the media to the shaping and dissemination of values is explored. Kenneth Boulding contends that underlying moral diversity is…

Reports on the background and philosophical base of the Community of Caring program. Originally started as a teen pregnancy prevention effort, the program has grown to include teacher training, values discussion, student forums, parent involvement, and community service learning. The program is sponsored through the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation.…

Identifies 11 pitfalls to avoid when implementing character education in a classroom or school. Some pitfalls include reduction of literature study to the search for a moral lesson; the "do as I say, not as I do" mentality; and reliance on posters, slogans, and glitzy gimmicks. (MJP)

Profiles the Community of Caring, a character education program in California that has been in existence for 12 years. Explicates some of the qualities that mark the program as a success. These include longevity, acceptability, comprehensiveness, evaluation, academic improvement, cost-effectiveness, family/community involvement, and professional…

Defines character education as the intentional teaching of ethical reasoning and analysis, the nurturing of moral emotions, and the encouragement of, and insistence upon, moral behavior. Maintains that schools, parents, and communities are all responsible for the moral development of children. Briefly discusses the work of the Ethics Resource…

Defines evangelization as a cooperative religious educational experience regarding the efficacy of the gospel. Considers its role in the lives of young people. Concludes that evangelization must incorporate and address current social concerns as well as questions of belief and unbelief. (MJP)

Describes a curriculum-embedded focus for character education. Outlines a series of character-related topics (justice, responsibility, civic virtue) and combines them with corresponding social studies topics and activities (reviewing the origins of self-government, interviewing community elders) for each grade K-12. Includes reading list and…

Provides a series of guiding principles for schools and other groups for evaluating and designing character education curricula. These include a meaningful and challenging academic curriculum that respects all learners and helps them to succeed, moral leadership from both staff and students, and development of a caring community. (MJP)

Reports on the results of a survey of states regarding support for character education. Discovers that there is broad national support for character education that incorporates varying forms of interpretation and implementation. Includes a copy of each survey question followed by an analysis of the responses. (MJP)

Contends that teachers have an essential part to play in the moral and spiritual education of students. Discusses a white paper on moral education issued by the British government. Concludes that there is no conflict between spiritual and moral education and teaching the knowledge and skills necessary for employment. (CFR)

Provides a rationale for character education and emphasizes its need, based on the visions of America of Theodore Roosevelt, Alexis de Tocqueville, and others. Briefly lists some useful suggestions from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development for adding character education to the curriculum. Includes a list of references. (MJP)

Reaffirms the responsibilities of social studies teachers to teach character and civic virtue. Identifies a series of public and private character traits that students must learn if democracy is to succeed. These include civility, respect for law, persistence, negotiation and compromise, courage, and tolerance of ambiguity. (MJP)