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Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, is often credited with creating the first school system in America. Curriculum in the Jefferson Era was designed with the end in mind: to create educated individuals who could self-govern and therefore enjoy true freedom. -
Introduction of McGuffey Readers
Due to confusion and struggles over which doctrine to teach, the McGuffey Readers replaced the Bible in many schools. They maintained many of the Biblical stories but added poems and heroic tales. Students learned reading and math while learning about good character. Lickona, T. (1993, November). The return of character education. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/nov93/vol51/num03/The-Return-of-Character-Education.aspx -
Horace Mann
Horace Mann is credited with the creation of Common Schools which began to move away from religious influence. Common Schools sought to create educated individuals, with good citizenship, which would contribute positively to democratic participation and the society as a whole (Only, n.d.). Only A Teacher. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/onlyateacher/horace.html -
Darwin's Publication of "On the Origin of the Species"
Darwin's publication of "On the Origin of the Species" asserted that plants and animals survive by adapting and evolving over time which was in contrast to previously held beliefs that all living things were created by a powerful being. This publication challenged the central argument of all religions that there is a higher power which essentially provides a moral code by which people live their lives. This book began the educational shift from religious based to scientific based beliefs. -
The Boy Scouts of America
"The Boy Scouts of America is a values-based youth development organization, providing programs for young people that build character" (Adventure, n.d.). The Boy Scouts organization has positively affected the development of good character in thousands of young children since its beginning, during a time in our history when Adventure is waiting. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.scouting.org/Home.aspx -
Girl Scouts of America
Girl Scouts began in Savannah, Georgia on this date. Juliette Gordon Low organized the very first Girl Scout troop. This organization has had a positive affect on the character education movement for several generations by building courage, confidence and character in girls (Who We Are, n.d.). Who We Are - Girl Scouts. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.girlscouts.org/en/about-girl-scouts/who-we-are.html -
World War I
As an effect of World War I, nationalistic, patriotic and pro-war lessons were integrated into the curriculum, and students were taught to view the war as a positive thing. Propaganda depicting the volunteers as courageous were commonplace in secondary schools and classrooms (Kandel, 1948). Kandel, I. (1948). The Impact of War Upon American Education. Retrieved from https://archive.org/stream/impactofthewarup008915mbp/impactofthewarup008915mbp_djvu.txt -
Children's Morality Code
Written by William Hutchins, it emphasized the values of good character. It also spurred the inception of "good character clubs" on elementary and secondary campuses by hoping peer pressure would encourage good character in students at school and beyond (Field, 1996). Field, S. (1996). Historical perspective on character education. The Educational Forum, 60,118-123. -
Cardinal Principles of Secondary Education
The Commission on the Reorganization of Secondary Education (CRSE) presented seven principles to be used as objectives for Secondary Education. One principle was the Development of Ethical Character (Cardinal, 1917). Cardinal Principles of Secondary Education: A Report of the Commission on the Reorganization of Secondary Education, Appointed by the National Education Association. Bulletin, 1918, No. 35. (1917, November 30). Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED541063 -
John Dewey
One of John Dewey’s ideas is that schools should take a purposefully active role in affecting social change. He believed that schools should reflect society and so therefore, schools should also be purposeful about teaching democratic and social principles (Tozer, Senese, & Violas, 2013). Citizenship readers also became popular. Tozer, S, Senese, G, & Violas, P. (2013), School and society: historical and contemporary
perspectives. 7th ed. New York, New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. -
World War II
Education during WWII shifted from focusing on character education (then renamed as Social Education) to more practical skills such as scrap drives, war bond sales, growing food, caring for younger children, and conservation of everything (Field, 1996). Field, S. (1996). Historical perspective on character education. The Educational Forum, 60, 118-123. -
Engel vs. Vitale
A landmark court case which ruled it to be unconstitutional to for states to have an official school prayer and require students to say it during school time. Some would say that this was the beginning of the decline of our moral society (Facts, n.d.). Facts and Case Summary - Engel v. Vitale. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/facts-and-case-summary-engel-v-vitale -
Abington School District vs Schempp and Murray vs Curlett
(Murray vs. Curlett)-Court decisions which overturned a lower court decision regarding Bible reading in school. This case determined that forcing a child to participate in Bible reading and prayer is unconstitutional. ASD v. Schempp was also a landmark case with the same finding(s) (U.S. Supreme Court Decisions, n.d.). U.S. Supreme Court Decisions (arranged by date). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://infidels.org/library/modern/church-state/decisions.html -
Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development
Kohlberg connected his Theory of Moral Development with moral education in schools. The teacher's role was to facilitate discussion of moral dilemmas and not include their own ideas or judge students by theirs (Mulkey, 1997) Mulkey, Y. (1997). The history of character education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 68, 35-37. -
Josephson Institute of Ethics
The Josephson Institute of Ethics was founded by Michael Josephson in honor of his parents. This would later become Character Counts! One of the most popular character education programs in America. -
The Aspen Declaration/Character Counts
The Josephson Institute of Ethics held a conference in 1992 in Aspen, CO, with educational leaders from all facets of education. The result of the conference was The Aspen Declaration, a document outlining six principles of character education. It would become the start-up document for the Character Counts! movement (Josephson, 2017). Josephson, M. (2017, July 16). History. Retrieved from https://charactercounts.org/ -
Character Education Partnership Created
Now known as Character.org, this organization's vision is "Young people everywhere who are educated, inspired and empowered to be ethical and engaged citizens." Their goal was to place character education at the forefront of national attention. They have eleven principles of effective character education at the center of their philosophy (Character, n.d.) Character.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://character.org/ -
Clinton's State of the Union Address
Clinton specifically referenced developing children's character a priority for public education (Character, n.d.) Character.org. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://character.org/ -
College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS)
As the skeleton for the Common Core State Standards, the CCRS were created in an effort to outline the skills students should master at the culmination of each grade level in order to demonstrate college and career readiness. These standards have familiar undertones of character education themes from days past. -
Framework for 21st Century Learning
P21 (Partnership for 21st Century Learning) in combination with several business leaders and global organizations created a framework to outline the skills students need to be successful in the 21st Century in work, life, and school. One part of the framework is Life and Career Skills. These are reminiscent of character traits from past movements (Framework, 2015). Framework for 21st Century Learning. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.p21.org/our-work/p21-framework -
Character Counts! Week
President Obama declared National Character Counts! Week to be celebrated October 18-October 24, 2015 by all Americans with ceremonies, programs, or other activties (Obama, 2015). Obama, B. (2015, October 16). Presidential Proclamation National Character Counts Week. Retrieved from The White House: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/10/16/presidential-proclamation-national-character-counts-week-2015
