Those who implement character education initiatives intend for those initiatives to be effective in promoting the development of character. To maximize this likelihood, it is important to consider common problems of implementation and assessment. This article addresses four challenges to effective implementation: (a) what counts as evidence of…

This essay comments on articles comprising a "Journal of Moral Education" Special Issue (September, 2008, 37[3]). The issue was intended to honour the 50th anniversary of Lawrence Kohlberg's doctoral dissertation and his subsequent impact on the field of moral development and education. The articles were characterised by the Issue editor (Don…

Any democratic society must concern itself with the socialization of its citizens. This begins in childhood, and schools are critical to this process. The interrelations and roles of educating for character (character education, moral education) and educating for citizenship (citizenship education, civic education) are explored, largely in a North…

Attempts to describe and critique some of the work of psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg, to project its future impact, and to relate it to the author's own career. Focuses on the theme of dialectic, interactive growth in the author's relationship with Kohlberg, and as the phenomena of study in his own research. Lists future research needs. (Author/NB)

Focuses on assessing the effects of conflicting discussions within undergraduate dyads consisting of partners at the same or different levels of moral judgment. The experimental procedure consisted of: (1) an Opinion Questionnaire; (2) pretest Kohlberg interviews; (3) assignment to experimental and control conditions; (4) experimental discussion…

This paper introduces key concepts in the field of moral stage development and presents highlights from a long-term research project on moral discussion, and, particularly, on the role of transactive discussion in moral development. The main objective of the research was to identify those features of moral discussion (defined as transactive) that…

The study of effective character education programs shows that full parent involvement is a must, as it has a profound impact on the students' character development. The complexity of character educations and the benefits of parental involvement are discussed.

Presents suggestions for practical applications of character education in the early childhood setting. Notes ten childhood characteristics essential for early moral development, including self-control, moral reasoning, honesty, and social skills. Explores five core strategies that may be applied to the classroom: induction, nurturing and support,…

The contemporary influence on the study of child morality has come from the cognitive-stage theories of Jean Piaget, who skewed the focus on interpersonal communication away from the family to the peer play domain. Aside from this approach, there are two other psychological approaches to moral development: psychoanalytic theory and social learning…

Recent findings in studies of moral education indicate that "plus-one" teachers, who function as discussion leaders and pitch moral arguments one stage above the majority of the class, are not necessary for students' moral growth. Teachers should be viewed as models and facilitators rather than producers of moral reasoning. (Author/WD)

Identifies four foundational components of children's moral development and four central aspects of moral functioning. Examines the parenting roots of each of these psychological characteristics and discusses five core parenting processes that are related to them. Considers the implications for teaching parents to influence positively children's…

The relationship of research in cognitive-developmental psychology to moral discussion is examined, particularly the controversial "+1" convention which asserts that successful moral discussion requires a group leader who presents moral reasoning one stage above that of the participants. Recommendations for classroom moral discussions…

The effect, if any, of Peer Paraprofessional Counseling (PPC) training on the transactive behavior of individuals was examined by studying the PPC program at Marquette University's Counseling Center. Subjects (N=38) were 8 students selected for the PPC program, 8 selected as alternates, 10 who did not pass selection criteria but were trained as a…

A basic assumption regarding moral development and a critical corollary to this assumption are analyzed. The assumption, advanced by Lawrence Kohlberg, is that moral education requires a group discussion leader who can pitch moral arguments one stage above (plus 1) the majority of the class. The corollary to this assumption, based on critical…

This argument for process analysis in moral education focuses primarily on social developmental processes and educational processes that influence the development of moral reasoning structures. The descriptive-developmental approach, the developmental-ethical approach, and the developmental-process approach to moral discourse are briefly…