Provides an overview of the problems and attitudes concerning educational financing of public education in Russia. Maintains that market mechanisms alone will be inadequate to meet the educational needs of all strata of society. The main burden of spending must be borne by the state. (MJP)

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)

Briefly summarizes 12 of the federally funded state projects supporting character education. Discusses the funding and governing authority for these grants and provides a contact number for each. Participating states include California, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Utah,…

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…

Discusses the contentious relationship between educators within the former East Germany and their West German cohorts following reunification. The problems have stemmed from conflicting ideologies and traditions (Marxist versus Christian Democrat and Social Democrat) as well as differences concerning school organization and educational objectives.…

Argues that the current world situation, marked by violence, inequity, and social upheaval, demands that teachers bring a more enlightened and committed approach to their classes. Advocates implementing education as a tool for empowerment and social change. Includes several diagrams of curricular models. (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…

Calls for a renewed effort by educators, schools, and communities to teach character and civic virtue. Discusses the role of civic education within the social studies curriculum and the impetus for affirming democratic principles and ideals. Recommends incorporating character education within the traditional subjects of civics, history, 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)

Emphasizes the power of storytelling, particularly heroic stories of virtue, in moral education. Provides a careful delineation of the differences between modern moral "fables" (a man contemplates stealing drugs for his dying wife) and classical stories involving heroes such as Ulysses and Galahad. (MJP)

Relates how character education can be quickly incorporated into the curriculum when teachers, the school, and the community share mutual goals and work as a team. Outlines some of the techniques used such as devoting each month to a specific character attribute and sending home newsletters to keep parents informed. (MJP)

Addresses some of the concerns surrounding the controversy of religion and public education. Finds some common ground in the ethical issues shared by character education and citizenship education and the nondenominational moral teachings in religious education. Outlines four broad strategies for maintaining productive community discussions. (MJP)

Argues that, through education, we can create a democratic culture and that, within a democratic culture, education may flourish. Locates the roots of this belief in the rebelliousness and critical mind set of the Enlightenment. Considers how to honor and extend this thinking in current educational practices. (MJP)

Teaching about refugees and having refugees as students requires examining ethical questions concerning responsibilities of U.S. citizens and providing refuge for oppressed peoples. Suggests that, through teaching historical understanding of these issues, one builds community in multi-ethnic classrooms and helps to combat hostility toward newly…