Character Education and Moral Development

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Comment by Kristen Alliegro on August 29, 2009 at 8:39am

To David Streight on Didactic Approach:

I happen to have seen this methodology at work in a developed atmosphere in a middle school. By giving students a sense of ownership, they take more pride in their school community as well as the community at large. It can't just be a lip-service approach either. It has to be actively engaged through student meetings, student leadership, peer conflict resolution, and permitting the entire student body to have some decision makeing power about what their school should look like. This applies to both physical appearance as well as the "feel" of their environment. Of course this whole process has to start with discussion; setting guidelines, boundaries, expectations and policies. The students must be engaged in these initial aspects in order to move foward.

Comment by David Streight on May 15, 2009 at 3:51pm

Heard a great paradigm for character today: the idea that schools can address it through a didactic approach with a defined set of values; a conversational approach encouraging negotiation between the individual and the community; and an open approach encouraging students to construct their own moral meaning. Food for thought. I wonder if others have thoughts on the approaches.

Comment by David Streight on May 1, 2009 at 11:28am

In a follow up to Carolyn's comment (following Mr. Pardee's), even beyond states there are preferences for terminology. I said something about character education to a director of an association for religious schools who said "oh, please don't use that term. We hate that term. Let's call it moral education or ethical development, or something else. But not character ed!" Somes states are involved in character education (California, e.g.); more importantly, though, when they say "character education," what do they include in that term?

Comment by Carolyn Browne on March 25, 2009 at 9:13am

On NPR yesterday an essayist complained about the "baby boomers" - a group I proudly belong to! In spite of what "NPR grumpy" had to say, baby boomers have an edge on appreciating the magnificance and potential of the United States because we were raised by the "Greatest Generation". As part and parcel of that influence came a certain idealism and sense of "right and wrong". Somehow this has, over the decades, been diluted. As a United States history teacher I can theorize why this happened. As a concerned citizen, it's seems vital that it be restored. Your observation that there is a regional difference in the acceptance of the phrase "character education" is interesting and very relevent to this conversation. With No Child Left Behind driving the "education bus" it is easy to forget that it is actually the states and local governments that are supposed to have the primary responsibility for shaping curriculum. It would be interesting to learn if some states are already engaged in "character education" and to discover what the curriculum looks like.

Comment by Mike Pardee on March 24, 2009 at 11:03am

I hear you, Carolyn. Some of these semantic tastes are also regional. "Character Education," in my experience, is a more palatable term--and concept--in many of the southern and central parts of the continental U.S.

I here words like "moral, ethical--or even human--development" more often on the east and west coasts to describe similar efforts or programs.

I agree with you--and the research confirms--that parents ARE our/their children's PRIMARY influence on their character/moral and/or ethical development. Yet I happen to believe that schools have as important roles to play in this regard as families and/or faith communities.

The prospect of "indoctrination" (especially depending on the content of that indoctrination!) sends shivers down MY spine. But I frankly am unapologetic about hoping to influence kids' hearts and souls as well as their minds (and hands) in schools.

Just my 2 cents, for whatever they're worth.....

Comment by Carolyn Browne on March 6, 2009 at 9:27am

The phrase "character development" sends shivers down the spine of many citizens. Some peole believe that the development of character is the privilage of parents and religious institutions. How can schools deal with this legitimate concern?

Comment by Carolyn Browne on February 2, 2009 at 9:12am

The book, Leading in the Cultue of Change by Michael Fullan emphasizes the need for leaders to include morals and values in their decision making process if they want to be successful leaders. On the technology front, eSchool offerred the following:
"Our country's global economic success in the future depends on K-20 graduates
honing their "21st Century Skills." Today's tech-savvy generation has no shortage
of user-friendly devices...and they know how to use them. But are they putting
these tech skills to good use? You've heard of the 3Rs, but what about the
5Cs such as critical thinking, creative problem solving, communications, collaboration
and cross-cultural relationship building? "
Beginning in 2012, "tech literacy" will be added to our Nation's Report Card.
http://www.eschoolnews.com/emails/eSN/0122ResourceCenter.htm
Apparently it will be the responsibility of teachers and schools to instill in students an appreciation for different cultures.