The seven chapters of this theme issue examine how to create a moral context to stimulate moral development and how the system of self-interest in childhood and adolescence integrates the system of morality in ways that yield a high moral identity. Among issues considered are the moral climate of a school and child development. (SLD)

Using the Defining Issues Test, the moral reasoning of 95 Texas A&M University medical students was measured at the beginning of their first semester, after a required first-semester medical ethics course, and after their fourth year. Results show significantly increased moral reasoning at the second and third test administrations, with women…

Reviews psychosocial cognitive teaching methods that correctional educators are using to remediate student academic deficits: computer-managed instruction, social/moral education, and essay writing and language arts. (Contains 15 references.) (JOW)

Using Nel Noddings ethic of Care, contends that this model of empathy has elements in common with the type of empathy method actors employ. Discusses the agreements between Caring's empathy and dramatic empathy focusing on three skills method actors use and the three differences that possess moral implications. (CMK)

Compares value education, critical thinking, moral development, and critical pedagogy. States that teachers' values are expressed in instructional content and methods. Urges teachers to balance expressing their own values and exposing students to different perspectives. (SK)

Argues that there is a particular conceptualization of moral education that should be established in public schools, discussing how to locate a public-school-appropriate moral-education curriculum and examining Dewey's idea of a moral science. The paper's three sections focus on Dewey's new science, the place of the subjective in value judgment,…

Notes that the current national priority of character education has its origins in early childhood and concept of nature versus nurture and sources of human knowledge, placing early childhood educators at the center of the debate. Highlights articles in this special issue, which provides introduction to moral development application and cultural…

Forty Mexican American and 40 Anglo American college students completed the Moral Justification Scale, containing moral dilemmas involving "care" (interpersonal) and justice considerations. Care scores were higher for females than males, and for Mexican Americans than Anglo Americans. No differences were obtained on the justice measure.…

The potential for using giftedness for good or evil is explored. Parents are urged to steer gifted youth into multiple pay-it-forward channels as they develop, so they will apply their gifted potential in a wise and caring manner to problems of the here and now. (Contains four references.) (CR)

This article examines some of the characteristics of a person who is morally well developed. Two of the commonly held theories of moral development are discussed, along with the possible moral problems of gifted adolescents. Finally, ways that educators can help gifted adolescents develop their full potential are provided. (Contains references.)…

In any elementary school classroom, a teacher will occasionally observe students involved in activities that seem neither honest nor ethical. What can teachers do to stimulate moral reasoning skills and principled attitudes in the elementary grades? This article suggests that situational learning is idea for developing moral reasoning in today's…

Children and teachers in 750 kindness clubs (organized by the World Society for the Protection of Animals, WSPA) in 32 African countries are actively involved in coordinating rural animal clinics and participate in clinic activities including the treatment of these animals. This article discusses the benefits of child-animal relationships.…

In this paper the author states that education could be better defined as reception and responsibility and that this ethical relationship between educator and pupil is the root or essential element of education. The author proposes a new paradigm, the pedagogy of alterity, inspired by Levinas, as a different model for educational praxis and…

Macau, as a society, is a crossroads where East-West encounters have been taking place for centuries. This paper examines some of the contemporary issues and implications for moral education. After a brief introduction to the social background of Macau, the paper describes the characteristics of Macau's education in general and the development of…

This concluding chapter reviews some of the methodological issues that analysts need to consider when evaluating the success of character-development programs.