This book examines dominant discourses in values education globally. It critiques dominant discourses and debates pertaining to values education and cultural identity, set against the current backdrop of growing social stratification and unequal access to quality education. It addresses discourses concerning globalisation, ideologies and the…

One side of character education is to create schools and communities that are caring, civil, and challenging (both academically and behaviorally). The other side is to develop young citizens who are smart, decent, and responsible. This booklet illustrates how to use newspaper content at school and at home to teach eight specific values: respect,…

U.S. Secretary of Education, William J. Bennett, expressed concerns about the condition of U.S. education in the areas of content, character, and choice. This document comprises the papers of 12 scholars on the public policy and the research implications of this theme. Three addresses were given on the issue of content by Russell Kirk, Thomas…

A teacher-developed moral dilemma that can be used to help elementary students make judgments based on values of civic responsibility is presented. Teachers can use the dilemma as a model for developing other dilemmas relevant to their students and schools. (RM)

This curriculum guide describes an introduction to law-related education for fourth graders in the Duval County Public Schools in Jacksonville, Florida. Primary goals are described as stimulating competent thinking in children, and developing skills and attitudes that will help children function effectively in decision-making situations. The…

CIVITAS is a curriculum framework that sets forth a set of national goals to be achieved in a civic education curriculum, primarily for K-12 public and private schools. It is a framework that proposes to specify the knowledge and skills needed by citizens to perform their roles in U.S. democracy. There are two major sections in the framework. It…

This report provides brief descriptions of 83 practices followed by college campuses to educate students to be active, involved citizens and to engage their institutions with their communities. The summaries, arranged alphabetically by school, were prepared by Campus Compact member presidents. A "table of contents" groups practices into the…

This book explores the issues of democratic education and student responsibilities in the schools. There are three compelling reasons to engage students to have a direct experience of democracy as an integral part of their schooling: (1) students are most likely to understand and value democracy and develop the political skills required for…

This social studies curriculum unit for grades 10-12 provides activities designed to focus students on actual case studies of sustainable community initiatives. The first activity guides the students in a discussion about the terms "civil society" and "sustainable community" to understand how the two terms are related. In the second activity two…

This teacher's curriculum guide is designed to help high school teachers guide students to develop a better understanding of difficult issues raised by questions of justice. It is hoped that the ideas, observations, questions, and procedures students learn in the curriculum will help them to make informed decisions about how to promote justice and…

This teacher's curriculum guide has been designed to provide high school students with an increased awareness of the importance of responsibility in their own lives and its place in contemporary society, and to encourage their capacity and inclination to deal with issues of responsibility wisely and effectively. Students are asked to examine and…

Examines democracy as a social and political system. Defines democracy as an evolving process that moves toward consensus whereby citizens exercise their sovereignty in government based on values and laws. Identifies two cornerstones of democracy: sovereignty of the people and individual rights. Explores the guardianship role of education in…

Traces historical precedents of values development and citizenship education in the United States and Canada. Proposes a framework for democratic values education. Explores teaching methods and classroom environments that promote democratic citizenship education. Exhorts social studies educators to integrate teaching and learning in citizenship…

Describes a lesson plan that examines the needs and benefits of moral behavior standards that extend beyond the strictly "legal." Procedures include a guided discussion concerning legal but reprehensible actions (participating in destructive gossip). Informative handouts precede moving the discussion to a more global perspective. (MJP)

Asserts that, in teaching about human rights, the international standards should be the fundamental core of the content and values to be communicated. Recommends that teachers should use the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the standard by which the actions of individuals and governments should be compared. (CFR)