The idea of moral/character education has been around for a long time. Moral/character education in the twenty-first century is a storm of controversy in America’s culturally and religious diverse population. Parents want their children to learn respect, loyalty, empathy, courage, kindness, and tolerance, yet worry about just which culture or religion morals and derived. These are core “human values” that are cross cultural, in essence “the golden rules”. The core human values need to be taught and reinforced as they are not instinctive mechanisms that automatically guide people through life. (Scaffe, 2). 

          Method’s for Teaching Value Education: 

There are many techniques to teach values education.  Some are the most simplistic in nature yet they go unused.  Everyday activities can be used to teach and reinforce
values/morals. Here are some examples of what can be used in the classroom: 

Create a classroom constitution: This is where the students collectively come up with ‘rules’ or a code to live by in the classroom and they each sign it. This can include
:

           *respecting each other and their property

                   *only speaking one at a time

                   *working together as a group

                    *not taunting one another 

Other simple ideas are to create a positive classroom environment for the kids in the class and to have set rules of your own for what will be allowed (behaviors) in the
class. This can be facilitated in many ways. The Center for Advancement of Ethics and Morals at Boston University has composed a list of about 100 suggestions, here are a
few examples:

           *hang pictures of heroes in the classroom

    *don’t allow unkindness of any kind in the classroom

      *treat ethical problems like intellectual issues..get
                             facts..gather

       *evidence..weigh consequences..make a choice.

*read aloud a “two-minute story” everyday to begin or end
             class, keep it brief, yet value centered. 

There are many ways to incorporate the values education throughout the school system. They range from literature to after school activities and sports.

Through literature- The reading of stories has always been a part of the ciriculum. Teaching children values through fairy tales, parables, and fables is an extrodinary
way to teach values. 

“Aesop’s Fables”: Stories with a moral dating back at least 2,300 years. Stories that have been passed down for generations that have taught children different values and
morals. Stories like “The Hare and the Tortoise” and “The Boy who Cried Wolf” , are timeless and have not outlived their usefulness. 

There are so many other recommended stories for children of all ages to read and learn from, stories that you and I both know and read when we were young.

                * “The Little Engine that Could”

                      * “The Little Princess” 

                           * “Pollyanna” 

                  * “Island of the Blue Dolphin”

Using fictional dilemmas provides a context idea within the students may reason. It has been demonstrated when students can relate stories about “fictional teens” and the
problem/issues they encounter, it aides them in development of their own strengths and weaknesses. 

SPORTS and After School Activities:

We can not ignore the potency sports play in molding the children of this nation. Most kids are involved in some kind of recreational sport or after school activity. Acc. to Dr.
Jeffrey Beedy and Dr. Russel Gough, there are ten guidelines for effective character education through sports.  (here are just some of their recommendations)

1. create and implement a guiding sports philosophy that promotes core ethical value (respect, caring, compassion, cooperation, and fairplay). 

*sports contracts are a good way to implement this into practice, they are much like the “classroom constitution.  The coach and the team makes this together.

2. Balance the drive to win with the programs defined core values.

*clearly define values that the team has derived from the sports philosophy and integrate them with equal importance to winning.

3. create a positive environment for kids w/respect to the individuals and their differences.

*coaches are the teachers of the playing fields and courts, they need to be great role models as well as, teaching that personal skills vary and teamwork is the key.

4. link sports to other areas of the student’s life.

* link lessons like self-discipline and perseverance to academic success and personal goals. 

Like sports there are so many after school programs and groups that promote the teaching of values and character.  Some have been around longer than others but they all are very helpful. Here are just a few of the many groups that are out there:

                     *boyscouts and girlscouts

              *the boy’s and girl’s club of America

            *SADD(students against drunk driving)

There are some places and organization’s that already have programs in place. Different counties in Maryland are getting involved and starting programs. One example is in
Frederick County and they program is called “character counts”. They incorporate the five pillars of values in their program. 

Another program is a non-profit, non -sectarian organization which addresses the need for character education. They call themselves 

“The Jefferson Center for Character Education”. 

There cirriculum teaches students to-

             *accept consequences of their actions

 *they use a model called “STAR” system (stop, think, act, and review) to aide in making decisions and solving problems.

                 *set and acheive realistic goals

  *teaches personal responsibility (attendance, punctuality, and reliability)

The Jefferson Center’s program includes short easy to follow lesson plans developed by teachers for teachers.  They incorporate monthly “themes” that foster “common
language” among students and teachers. The teachers and parents work together as a team to teach the students. 

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT-

Parent involvement in morals education is a key factor in the success of any public or private school’s capability to pass on to the next generation society’s morals and values. The whole community needs to take an active role in the character education of children. 

Recommendation to policy makers-

I would recommend to the president that it is of the up most importance that moral/value/character educational programs be implemented in all schools. These programs would be highly beneficial and are as much of a part of the educational process as reading and math are, because they are all basic necessities in life. We owe this character education to our children and to our countries future.