Presents an assignment where students are asked to read, speak, role play, and write on ethical questions, which sharpens and strengthens the research paper component of English composition, while setting the student free in the world of ideas. (RAE)

Character education is a historical and fundamental objective of a sound physical education program. Excerpts from speeches by eminent American physical educators from 1885 to the present focus on the moral and ethical development of young people and instilling in them a sense of their potential for spiritual growth. (JD)

To assist counselors who face difficult situations, the helping professions have generated both ethical codes and decision-making models. Because the process of decision making seems to be related to cognitive-moral development, this article details ethical codes and decision models and speculates on how counselor level of development may…

Examined children's reasoning about mixed-domain events containing both conventional and moral components--violating a conventional rule and negatively affecting others. Found that older children were able to identify the moral components of mixed-domain events and combined moral and conventional issues in their reasoning. Younger children were…

Presents 14 questions and answers that deal with moral education and character formation in particular schools and classrooms. Suggests that schools which move in a "for character" direction are moving toward the "hallowed goal" of school community, so widely praised by educational reformers. (RS)

Examined whether a relationship exists between family adaptability and cohesion and principled moral reasoning. The moral reasoning level of 131 adolescents was measured using the Defining Issues Test, and levels of perceived family adaptability and cohesion were measured using Family and Adaptability and Cohesion Scales. No significant…

Investigated moral judgment delay in adolescent delinquents based on sex differences and specific moral value areas. Found that delinquents of both sexes were, on average, developmentally delayed in moral judgment, particularly on values related to the law. However, they rated values such as promise keeping, helping others, and saving life as…

This article examines Vygotsky's and Bakhtin's work as it relates to moral reflection. A sociocultural approach based on Vygotsky's and Bakhtin's work provides the theoretical underpinnings for engaging children in authentic, critical, and reflective discourse. It is through such communicative exchanges that teachers help children develop…

The mental capacity of 120 children aged 10 to 16 years was measured with 2 visual information-processing tasks, and their level of moral development was assessed with the Sociomoral Reflection Measure. Results suggest that mental capacity is a necessary but not sufficient condition for moral developmental growth. (LB)

Advocates defining cultural literacy to recognize the mass media's role in transmitting and maintaining cultural stereotypes and shaping values and beliefs. Distinguishes between ideational and material aspects of culture. Advocates teaching critical thinking and respect for persons in light of questionable moral perspectives in certain media…

Distinguishes between ethical management behavior prescribed by a code of ethics and personal moral judgment (Kohlberg's third level of moral development). Argues that moral ideals translate into moral action only in the presence of capacity for individual reasoning, commitment to ideals, and ability to act accordingly. (SK)

Argues that children do not learn to be moral by obeying others' rules. Advocates an ethical approach that results in a well-formed conscience and reasoned understanding about responsible action. (SK)

Addresses concern that school counselors are not provided with guidelines for how to use knowledge on moral development when working with children in school settings. Provides framework wherein commonly used counseling techniques can be tailored and refined to match the client's stage of moral development. (NB)

In a study of the relationship between moral reasoning and teenage drug use, problems arose in an attempt to reduce qualitative data to a quantitative format: (1) making analytic sense of singular and universal responses; (2) the mistaken logical inference that each pattern of judgment should have behavioral indicators; and (3) construction and…

Argues that there are two types of values held by all individuals. Contends that "hard" values are exemplified by consistent behavior and sacrifice whereas "soft" values are merely illustrated by making choices. Calls for a national consensus on recommended values that would be taught in the schools. (CFR)