Eighth graders (n=138) and college students (n=49) read and recalled four complex moral narratives in which moral arguments at different Kohlbergian stages were embedded. Participants with higher reasoning scores on a test of moral judgment development reconstructed more high-stage moral arguments during recall. (SLD)

People leading renewing lives typically recognize and break out of ruts; engage in self-inquiry; view education as a lifelong process; embrace failure as a learning experience; and pursue mutually respectful, caring relationships--a complex process. Reformers often ignore organizational complexities in pursuit of outdated accountability notions.…

Distinguishes two aims of morality, the need to avoid trouble and the social requirement to share, and addresses means of achieving them, including conditioning and cultivating dispositions required for sharing. Argues that moralists need to describe sharing situations clearly and transmit the understanding and practice of them to children. (DSK)

Studies students' perceptions of the moral atmosphere in various levels of secondary schools in the Netherlands. Reveals significant differences between schools and school types based on analysis of variance. Does not claim any ability to predict undesirable behaviors at school based on measures of moral atmosphere. Includes the survey form. (DSK)

Reports on two studies of adult moral development, experiences, and education: (1) a longitudinal investigation of moral judgment and reported moral experience and (2) an outcome study on the impact of a moral intervention project with adult undergraduate students. Provides some conclusions applicable to teaching adult moral development. (DSK)

Outlines character education from the constructivist perspective, discussing Piaget's research on children's reasoning about moral rules, which offers a framework for examining education. Examines parallel teacher/child relationships, which affect moral development, and presents examples of how teachers can create cooperative interpersonal…

Two studies examined how moral judgment and cultural ideology combine to predict moral thinking in members of a conservative church and a liberal church, and in a secular sample of university undergraduates. Found that a combination of religious ideology, political identity, and moral judgment predicted the church members' opinions on human-rights…

Contends that students must understand the foundations of ethical reasoning in order to develop the ability to think critically about ethical issues. Discusses three foundations upon which all ethical reasoning must rest: (1) a sound understanding of ethical concepts and principles; (2) the knowledge that ethics is different from other domains of…

Discusses how American cultural values have impacted traditional Confucian values and traditional Korean perspectives on legislation, policy, and special-education systems for people with visual impairments. The need for continuation of the transformation to enhance the educational system for people with visual impairments is stressed. (CR)

One of the purposes of professional education is to educate professionals to honor their social responsibility. This paper presents three stories that identify important preconditions in education for social responsibility. The preconditions include socially responsive faculty and field integrity. Each story includes morals (i.e., lessons about…

Character educators can recognize religion's contribution to our culture while honoring the First Amendment. Schools can help students understand religion's role in our nation's beginnings, major social-reform movements, and individuals' motivation; construct special curricula; and encourage students to tap inner resources to address social issues…

Alternative perspectives are presented on the issue of rational suicide. An operational definition is provided; areas needing clarification are highlighted. The meta-issues are reviewed with regard to specific points raised by Lokhandwala and Westefeld. Concerns with research often cited to question the possibility of rational suicide are…

Gilligan's work at Harvard University has centered about the study of female thinking and moral decision making. She and her colleagues tried to repair the omission of girls' voices from the psychological literature. She is currently studying boys' narrowed self-expression and wants schools to amplify children's voices. (MLH)

Contends that the nation will begin to resolve the debate over racial preferences only when public commentators begin to draw a clear distinction between the procedural morality of color blindness and the historical morality of racial justice. Explains that it matters very much how college admissions decisions are made and recommends that people…

Grounds prognostications for the principalship on significant schooling trends. The future of schools depends on changing "outside" economic, societal, and political forces. Like most businesses and organizations, the education industry is becoming more communication- and service-oriented. Principals will need to act as social and organizational…