Character education has become the fastest growing school reform movement in the United States. Surveys conducted in the last few years indicate that Americans tend to place character (values) education as the highest priority in school restructuring programs, and there is nothing to suggest that the nation's concern is temporary. Teachers in the…

In the United States and Mexico, public schooling, as a government institution, has attempted to reinforce cultural and national values explicitly through civics lessons and implicitly through attitudes and classroom management. This study shows how schools on each side of the U.S.-Mexico border attempt to teach distinct national and cultural…

Many educators seem reluctant to instill in their pupils good habits such as honesty, respect, and truthfulness. This book emphasizes how teachers can create schools in which students practice and exhibit respect and responsibility. Many problems in schools, homes, and society at large, arise from a lack of good character. To develop moral…

A 2-day conference on teaching moral values in American schools resulted in a report called "Moral Education and Character" which highlights the views of participants from a variety of fields. This brief paper is a synopsis of the issues and arguments presented in that report. Moral education concerns learning about good conduct. It is about the…

Discusses the societal values and behavior patterns that Chinese preschools reinforce and instill in children. (HOD)

Christianity can offer students a great deal of accumulated wisdom and experience not found in other areas and should not be ashamed to put its case forth forcefully. Christians should not abdicate their role to modern sociologists and psychologists, but should emphasize their contributions more strongly. (Author/IS)

On March 30, 2004, the United States Department of Education (ED) and the Character Education and Civic Engagement Technical Assistance Center (CETAC) hosted a listening session to provide suggestions about the contents of a publication intended for educators, parents, community advocates, and businesses about key issues related to understanding…

Examines the effects of the post-Sputnik knowledge explosion. Critizes universities for teaching facts and information without values and applications and faults apathetic students who narrowly focus on job openings, pay scales, and retirement plans. Urges colleges to develop intellectual autonomy and the powers of imagination, sensitivity, and…

Notes that 57 percent of West German teachers who responded to a survey believed it was difficult to transmit values to students and indicated the high degree of social differentiation in an industrial society promoted social fragmentation. Argues values education should not be the sole responsibility of the school but shared by the entire…

States that Swiss youths perceive society as valuing performance and success above independent, enlightened youth. Contends that these societal values lead to passivity and resignation among students. Recommends listening to students and using the classroom as a place for building trust and problem solving. (NL)

Reviews comparative studies of values education in industrialized nations, focusing on the absence of value-neutrality among institutions and teachers; national differences in educational goals and contradictions among various goals; influence of nonschool factors; efficacy of educational policy about values; emphasis on common core values; and…

In the educational environment, there is increasing interest in the teaching of ethics. At one time teaching was teaching ethics. Ethics was taught through literature, history, and other courses where applicable. Today, there is diminishing influence of churches and families in instilling ethical values to the youth, causing widespread decline in…

The Uniondale, New York School District and community believe that their character education program creates a safe and positive environment for their students. Through character education, they are increasing students' social competence and reducing students' aggressive behaviors. Their school district's goal is to build a district and school…

In developing an intergenerational program bringing together preschool children and elderly adults in a retirement home/geriatric center complex, preschool staff had to discard three misconceptions. It was initially supposed that the elderly would like to visit the nursery school. It was assumed that people in the retirement home have nothing to…

Student voluntarism on many campuses is prompting politicians to offer new incentives on the local, state, and national levels. Campus Compact and Campus Outreach Opportunity League (COOL), two community service organizations, are described. Federal legislation to create a national domestic Peace Corps is discussed. (MLW)