What do Americans think about character education?
As Americans examine the moral standards of our society and the quality of our nation's education system, they are increasingly looking to schools and communities to help develop good character in our young people. Poll after poll shows that Americans place moral and performance issues high on their list of concerns. For instance:
- Various studies show that more than 90 percent of the population believes schools should teach character traits to students.
- A 1998 Gallup poll found that Americans consider crime and violence; decline in ethics, morals, and family values; and drug usage the issues of most concern in our society today.
- A 1998 poll (The Tarrance Group and Lake Snell Perry & Associates) of 1,000 likely voters showed that Americans want Congress to restore moral values and improve education more than any other issue.
Should character education be mandated?
Character education is increasingly being recognized as a valuable method of school innovation and reform. As such, legislation should generally encourage character education, but not a particular approach or program. Character education works best when local schools and communities work together to identify the core values to be taught in their schools as well as the particular approaches to teaching those character traits. States should encourage comprehensive approaches to character education that involve all aspects of school culture and curriculum. Since very few educators and administrators receive pre-service training on how to incorporate character education, providing funding for staff development is a critical role for states and districts. (Click here for more information on state policies regarding character education.)
Why should the business community support character education?
Since the American workforce ultimately comes from our schools, businesses have a vested interest in seeing that our youth develop into responsible, ethical people. The very qualities that today’s work force needs are character traits and skills that form the building blocks of character education. In 1991 the U.S. Department of Labor issued a report – "What Work Requires of Schools," also known as the SCANS report – which cautioned that students must develop a new set of foundational skills and competencies such as interpersonal skills, individual responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, and integrity.
Defining and Understanding Character Education
Participation in Character Education
