Moral Education
By Editorial Staff
Published July 1988
WASHINGTON, D.C. (EP) – America’s public schools should be giving students more moral education, according to a report by a national organization that focuses on curriculum development and teaching procedures.
The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development’s report said moral education was not the “latest education fad, but a very old concept.” Boston University professor Kevin Ryan, who chaired the panel, said American schools were founded with moral purpose, and offered moral education until the 1960s. Since that time, he said, schools have “stepped back” from their responsibility to teach morality.
The report noted increasing public concern over adolescent emotional problems, rising teenage suicide and murder, and unwed mothers. The report also cited public opinion polls which indicate that most Americans favor the teaching of moral behavior by public schools.
The Alexandria, Virginia-based association, which is made up of educators involved in curriculum development for public schools, defines moral education as “whatever schools do to influence how students think, feel and act regarding issues of right and wrong.” The report says such education can help students become “morally mature.”
The report recommends:
- A greater place for moral education in public school curricula.
- A cooperative effort among teachers, parents, media, courts, businesses, and civil, racial, ethnic, and religious organizations, for creating a social and cultural setting that supports moral behavior and education.
- The establishment and publicizing of clear expectations for teachers and administrators in their roles as moral educators.
- Increased attention to moral education in teachers’ colleges and other educators’ training programs.
- The inclusion of critical thinking and decision making skills in moral education.
- Regular assessments of the moral climate of schools and conduct of students, with the results of those assessments being made public.
The report acknowledges, however, that moral education is a possible source of controversy, including such issues as the religious underpinnings of moral behavior, how moral values should be taught, and whether moral education should strive to encourage adherence to a set of central values or to develop morally autonomous individuals.
Forerunner - Home » The Forerunner Newspaper » Education
Your comments are welcome!
Moral education is a must for all school students from elementary education level – to develop a civilized home and then civilized city and then civilized country and then civilized world
Posted by Radhakrishnan Ramesh on 11/24/2008 06:31 AM #
Dr. Francis Schaeffer - A Christian Manifesto (DVD)
That Swiss Hermit Strikes Again!
Dr. Schaeffer, who was one of the most influential Christian thinkers in the twentieth century, shows that secular humanism has displaced the Judeo-Christian consensus that once defined our nation’s moral boundaries. Law, education, and medicine have all been reshaped for the worse as a consequence. America’s dominant worldview changed, Schaeffer charges, when Christians weren’t looking.
Schaeffer lists two reasons for evangelical indifference: a false concept of spirituality and fear. He calls on believers to stand against the tyranny and moral chaos that come when humanism reigns-and warns that believers may, at some point, be forced to make the hard choice between obeying God or Caesar. A Christian Manifesto is a thought-provoking and bracing Christian analysis of American culture and the obligation Christians have to engage the culture with the claims of Christ.
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
God's Law and Society (DVD)
Download the Free on-line Study Guide!
God’s Law and Society powerfully presents a comprehensive worldview based upon the ethical system found in the Law of God.
Speakers include: R.J. Rushdoony, George Grant, Howard Phillips, R.C. Sproul Jr., Ken Gentry, Gary DeMar, Jay Grimstead, Steven Schlissel, Andrew Sandlin, Eric Holmberg, and more!
Sixteen Christian leaders and scholars answer some of the most common questions and misconceptions related to this volatile issue:
1. Are we under Law or under Grace?
2. Does the Old Testament Law apply today?
3. Can we legislate morality?
4. What are the biblical foundations of government?
5. Was America founded as a Christian nation?
6. What about the separation of Church and State?
7. Is neutrality a myth?
8. What about non-Christians and the Law of God?
9. Would there be “freedom” in a Christian republic?
10. What would a “Christian America” look like?
Perfect for group instruction as well as personal Bible study.
Ten parts, over four hours of instruction!
Running Time: 240 minutes
Watch over 60 on-line video interviews from God’s Law and Society.
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
The Beast of Revelation: Identified (DVD)
Who is the dreaded beast of Revelation?
Now at last, a plausible candidate for this personification of evil incarnate has been identified (or re-identified). Ken Gentry’s insightful analysis of scripture and history is likely to revolutionize your understanding of the book of Revelation — and even more importantly — amplify and energize your entire Christian worldview!
Historical footage and other graphics are used to illustrate the lecture Dr. Gentry presented at the 1999 Ligonier Conference in Orlando, Florida. It is followed by a one-hour question and answer session addressing the key concerns and objections typically raised in response to his position. This presentation also features an introduction that touches on not only the confusion and controversy surrounding this issue — but just why it may well be one of the most significant issues facing the Church today.
Ideal for group meetings, personal Bible study — for anyone who wants to understand the historical context of John’s famous letter “… to the seven churches which are in Asia.” (Revelation 1:4)
Running Time: 145 minutes
$17.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
Martin Luther (DVD) 1953 Classic
Niall MacGinnis – Digitally Remastered
The dramatic classic film of Martin Luther’s life was released in theaters worldwide in the 1950s and was nominated for two Oscars. A magnificent depiction of Luther and the forces at work in the surrounding society that resulted in his historic reforming efforts, this film traces Luther’s life from a guilt-burdened monk to his eventual break with the Roman Catholic Church.
In spite of its age, this film continues to be a popular resource to introduce Luther’s life. This historical epic captures the life and times of the greatest figure of the Protestant Reformation with depth and clarity, while giving a glimpse at the private man in the eye of the storm. Luther’s protest against the established order of the Church gave birth to one of the largest religious and cultural movements history and serves as a prime example of how one man’s spiritual convictions can change the course of human events.
Running Time: 105 minutes
$9.95 — ORDER NOW!
Click here for more information
The Real Jesus: A Defense of the Historicity and Divinity of Christ (DVD)
Who is the Real Jesus?
Ever since the dawn of modern rationalism, skeptics have sought to use textual criticism, archeology and historical reconstructions to uncover the “historical Jesus” — a wise teacher who said many wonderful things, but fulfilled no prophecies, performed no miracles and certainly did not rise from the dead in triumph over sin.
Over the past 100 years, however, startling discoveries in biblical archeology and scholarship have all but vanquished the faulty assumptions of these doubting modernists. Regrettably, these discoveries have often been ignored by the skeptics as well as by the popular media. As a result, the liberal view still holds sway in universities and impacts the culture and even much of the church.
The Real Jesus explodes the myths of these critics and the movies, books and television programs that have popularized their views. Presented in ten parts — perfect for individual, family and classroom study — viewers will be challenged to go deeper in their knowledge of Christ in order to be able to defend their faith and present the truth to a skeptical modern world – that the Jesus of the Gospels is the Jesus of history — “the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). He is the real Jesus.
Speakers include: George Grant, Ted Baehr, Stephen Mansfield, Raymond Ortlund, Phil Kayser, David Lutzweiler, Jay Grimstead, J.P. Holding, and Eric Holmberg.
Ten parts, over two hours of instruction!
Running Time: 130 minutes
$19.95 — ORDER NOW!
Very true, the morality of the United states society is decaying as every new generation is being formed. The lack or respect for elders, teachers, and the memebers of the opposite sex is growing. We there also a need for this because of the lack of dicsipline in students. If we had some sort of reward program for schools with the least spots on their records maybe the society would shape up.
Posted by Clayton on 11/18/2008 02:21 PM #