First in a series of articles on professional ethics in early childhood education, this article intends to help clarify the ethical dimension of professional practice. Aims particularly to convey a sufficient sense of the nature of professional ethics to enable readers to continue to develop effective resolutions of ethical dilemmas. (RH)

Argues that the "just community" approach is the best available values education program for meeting the primary goal of feminism, in the elimination of injustices due to sexism. Suggests that educational policies and practices be examined to expose the social and value structures of schools. Describes the social and values structures of…

Growing public concern with student discipline, increases in student suicide rates, homicides, and high pregnancy rates of teenage girls are causing educators to give renewed attention to the concept of "character development" in public education. (MD)

A New York camp's character education program is described. Implementing the program involves choosing which values to teach, making staff and campers aware of the program's importance, deciding where to teach the values, choosing and coaching the attributes that reflect each value, debriefing after activities, and keeping campers and staff…

Examines how the section on values in the 1981 "California History/Social Science Framework" points the way and direction for educating students to become good citizens. The author discusses 10 basic ideas or value-oriented claims that he thinks could be used as an intellectual framework to guide the designing of civic education…

Discusses the new emphasis of the section on values in the 1981 "California History/Social Science Framework." The development of a personal value system and the study, understanding, and appreciation of the values of others is seen as the basis of American citizenship. (AM)

Discusses how teachers' values influence their feelings about students, themselves, and other teachers and cause the development of stress. Suggests ways to overcome stress. (CT)

Responds to E. D. Hirsch's "Cultural Literacy" and Allan Bloom's "The Closing of the American Mind," confronting questions of teaching values through literature. Argues that while teachers should deplore societal tyrannies, they can endorse the list proposed by Hirsch and allow students to develop their own responses to items…

Suggests Kwanzaa activities for family members, students, teachers, and/or children related to the African tradition of Nguzo Saba (the Seven Principles): Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamma (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). (AC)

Suggests family activities related to moral values: (1) instilling the giving habit; (2) using stories and games to trigger moral reflection; (3) encouraging earth ethics; (4) developing the moral opinion habit; (5) making moral reminders part of the home decor; (6) using every opportunity to teach; and (7) sharing holidays with others. (GLR)

Scarcity of school finances is a problem. Currently, the distribution of resources is politically driven, exacerbating conflicts between rich and poor school districts. The paper describes a new model promoting community, inclusion, and solidarity and based on the premise that democratic societies must articulate values of justice, fairness, and…

Reflects on the ways in which children develop character as well as ways to foster moral development in elementary education communities. Includes a brief discussion of Robert Coles' documentation of moral intelligence in children, and lists several ways to aid the moral life of children in Montessori classrooms. (EV)

Moral choice for educational administrators involves using conventional democratic principles as well as postconventional actions grounded in principles valued by administrators that are not covered by conventional morality. Presents two case studies involving the application of democratic principles and the formation of independent judgment in…

Provides a selected list of workbooks and other curriculum materials to enhance character education instruction. Includes addresses and phone numbers for 13 research organizations such as the Ethics Resource Center and the Character Education Institute. (MJP)

A two-step procedure for making moral and ethical decisions in professional situations involves identifying obligations, ideals, and potential effects, and assessing the relative weights of all considerations. Two cases illustrate the application of the procedure by outdoor leaders. (SV)