Argues that law-related education should move beyond teaching the mechanics and issues of government and include those concepts of civic virtue incorporated within democracy. Notes that students need philosophical and moral content as well as experiential learning. (MJP)

Postulates a connection between character education and social responsibility. Identifies the two essential skills necessary for character development as empathy and self-discipline. Discusses the role these play in developing a social conscience. (MJP)

Asserts that half of the general educational objectives established by the Portuguese parliament are related to issues of social justice and moral education. Maintains that school textbooks do not reflect these goals and perpetuate stereotypes about women, social classes, and other cultures. (CFR)

Asserts that efforts by Christian churches to join in humanitarian community efforts are hindered by diversity and reluctance to participate in public engagement. Maintains that a "public church" is necessary in society today. Contends that there are two main tasks: (1) education of disciple-citizens; and (2) education of the public. (CFR)

Articulates an expanded vision of citizenship education that incorporates two powerful reform movements: character education and community service. Addresses the reservations teachers have about initiating these programs and provides suggestions for organization and administration. Includes a list of student-designed citizenship education…

Offers some examples of integrating character education into curriculum and instruction through service learning and provides a rationale for incorporating service learning throughout the grades. Briefly summarizes educational research supporting service learning and identifies five critical elements of service learning projects. Provides a list…

Examines the planning, implementation, and mission of the Clearinghouse for Character Education at California State University, Fresno. Materials collected at the Clearinghouse include samples of model programs, research, contacts for program development, and instructional resources for teachers, schools, and districts interested in character…

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.…

Formulates a pedagogical position that articulates religious experience as complementary to formal-rational thought. Recent postmodernist criticism has located secular thinking as a coequal position to subjective religious experience on the now-leveled philosophical playing field. Explores what this newfound (academic) respectability means for…

Endorses the movement, popular among parents and teachers, for implementing ethical instruction in the K-12 curriculum. Discusses the needs and benefits of such instruction. Examines the question of "whose values" are to be taught, and arrives at a consensus of core values, including honesty, compassion, self-discipline, and respect.…

Questions whether the transmission of norms and values is an appropriate function of liberal education as envisioned in a liberal constitutional state (The Netherlands). Draws a distinction between the inculcation of intellectual virtues and indoctrination. Presents a cogent analysis of the concepts and objectives of liberal education for…

Recommends using literature, Supreme Court cases, and moral dilemmas in a debate format as means of instruction for character education. Includes a rationale and examples for each approach. Explains several guiding values (respect for persons, justice, telling the truth) and their relevance to character education. (MJP)

The purpose of this book is to identify schooling goals and suggest what form of schooling is needed to achieve them. Although schools manage to care for children and give them a solid social, cultural, and intellectual grounding they also massively deprive children of intellectual and cultural stimulation and enormously distort children's…

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,…