In describing the just community approach to moral education developed at Cluster alternative high school, the author focuses on the setting of collective norms and relationships between these norms and Kohlberg's moral development stages. He finds this approach to moral education to be more comprehensive than the moral discussion approach. (SJL)

Describes a 1920s study by Hartshorne and May, the "Character Education Inquiry," and summarizes its three-volume report, "Studies in the Nature of Character," about students' moral development and ethical instruction. Emphasizes findings that discussing hypothetical dilemmas and supplying moral knowledge are less effective…

Teachers must respond to the threat of nuclear warfare with a deep and universal desire to secure life. Comprehensive concern for life as a whole must lie at the root of their work. Only a world-wide expression of the ethical imagination, which renders nuclear war wholly unacceptable, can save mankind. (PP)

The boredom of law students in their second and third years raises questions about the meaningfulness and appropriateness of traditional courses and the place of clinical and interdisciplinary courses in the curriculum. Seven curriculum priorities were identified, among them: legal history, social sciences, economics, international law, and…

Having students read, view, or create imaginative works will not impart to them moral didactic or morally important knowledge, but such practices can contribute to moral education by extending children's visions of moral possibilities and perhaps by increasing their skills in understanding people. (SJL)

Fourteen moral judgment intervention studies are reviewed and evaluated to address two questions: "Is it possible to stimulate moral judgment development in an educational setting?" and "Does the Defining Issues Test index such moral judgment changes?" These studies affirm the second question. Half of them produced significant…

In an effort to promote consistency in moral education practices in Indian schools, the All Indian Association of Catholic Schools (AINACS) is conducting seminars to collect and classify the principle values of the world's major religions and to develop these concepts into learning activities for the appropriate grade levels. (SJL)

The author outlines Kohlberg's stage theory of moral development and points out some of its questionable consequences for education. He discusses discrepancies found to date in the empirical evidence. Finally he proposes a new interpretation of Kohlberg's model and suggests some of its educational consequences for home and school. (Author/SJL)

The author asserts that, by strict Aristotelian logic, only two positions on moral values are possible: absolutist or relativist. Noting the political and instructional difficulties this dichotomy implies for the schools, he proposes instead a continuum of value types which would allow greater choice and flexibility in moral instruction. (SJL)

This column surveys some recent materials available to involve students in moral questioning. Many of the suggested films, filmstrips, slide sets, and simulation games are designed to trigger discussion or force students to make choices. (Author/SJL)

A description of the design, achievements, and future directions of the in-service component of Scarborough's Values Education Project. (SJL)

The relationship between professions and society is changing rapidly. However, society still values the physician as healer and professional. Medicine's professional associations and academic institutions must ensure that all physicians understand professionalism and accept its obligations. They should encourage physicians' moral and intellectual…

Reviews studies examining differences in moral schema development, using techniques that range from measuring implicit knowledge (such as the defining issues test) and explicit knowledge (such as with the moral judgment interview). Finds significant differences in the comprehension of moral narratives based on age/education and level of expertise.…

Proposes a cross over between moral education and human rights work, suggesting that human rights documents allow moral educators to learn from human rights activists and educators. Argues that Latin Americans and other marginalized groups can inform moral education work. Includes five suggestions for incorporating human rights into moral…

Examines the "missionaries" in public schools, educators who teach civic and moral values, at times to the detriment of academic achievement, to enlighten their students and emancipate their minds. Briefly discusses the ideas on education of Plato, Rousseau, and contemporary deconstructivist thinkers. (WFA)