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The History of Character Education

By thilson

  • The Holy Bible in Education

    The Holy Bible in Education
    At the onset of America, school textbooks contained 100% moral and religious content (Mulkey, 1997). The purpose of being able to read was to be able to read the Bible, and in turn, the Bible was the number one resource used by teachers to teach religious principles and values. Mulkey, Y. (1997). The history of character education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 68, 35-37.

  • Development and Expansion of Free Public Schools

    Development and Expansion of Free Public Schools
    With the development and expansion of free public schools in the 1830’s, came the concern that values of the home were to be reinforced in the classroom and that the children of others, particularly immigrants, learn and practice them (Mulky, 1997). Mulkey, Y. (1997). The history of character education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 68, 35-37.

  • McGuffey Readers

    McGuffey Readers
    William McGuffey wrote the McGuffey readers, which were protestant-driven readers, which became a main resource for teachers (Lickona, 1993). These readers were a consolidation of Biblical stories and principles with reading and arithmetic. Lickona, T. (1993). The return of character education. Educational Leadership, 51, 6-11.

  • Practicle Values and Morale Building

    Practicle Values and Morale Building
    During World War II, the emphasis was on patriotic values, and teachers were about the business of teaching practical values and morale building (Field, 1996). Field, S. (1996). Historical perspective on character education. The Educational Forum, 60, 118-123.

  • Fear of Violating Separation of Church and State

    Fear of Violating Separation of Church and State
    In the 1960’s, the moral climate degenerated, and the attitude and behavioral problems made educational activities difficult. Public schools retreated from their once central role in teaching morals and character because there was a prevalent fear that teaching moral education would violate the separation of church and state (Lickona, 1993). Lickona, T. (1993). The return of character education. Educational Leadership, 51, 6-11.

  • Prayer Banned in Public Schools

    Prayer Banned in Public Schools
    In 1962, the case of Engle v. Vitale prompted the Supreme Court to rule that official prayer was banned from public education (Sass, 2016). Educational Resources and Lesson Plans. (2016). American Educational History: A Hypertext Timeline. Retrieved January 18, 2016, from http://www.eds-resources.com/educationalhistorytimeline.html

  • Moral Reasoning and Values Clarification

    Moral Reasoning and Values Clarification
    In 1966, Lawrence Kohlberg linked his cognitive-development theory of moral reasoning with the practice of moral education in schools (Leming, 1993). This was a time in which there were hypothetical and ethical dilemmas. During this same time, the values clarification approach suggested that values should not be imposed, but rather, students should be guided to choose their values freely. Leming, J. (1993). In search of effective character education. Educational Leadership, 51, 63-71.

  • Homeschooling on the Rise

    Homeschooling on the Rise
    John Holt’s book, "Teach Your Own: A Hopeful path for Education", adds momentum to the homeschooling movement (Sass, 2016). As people became disenfranchised with public education, many were opting to homeschool and reclaim their role in reinforcing their own family values. Educational Resources and Lesson Plans. (2016). American Educational History: A Hypertext Timeline. Retrieved January 18, 2016, from http://www.eds-resources.com/educationalhistorytimeline.html

  • Character Counts!

    Character Counts!
    The Josephson Institute of Ethics was begun in 1987 to improve the ethical quality of society by advocating principled reasoning and ethical decision-making (Geren, 2001). The Josephson Institute created Character Counts! to advance character education by teaching trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
    Geren, P. (2010). A critique of character counts!. Retrieved January 27, 2016, from http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwsfd/2001/Geren.PDF

  • Character Education Partnership (CEP)

    Character Education Partnership (CEP)
    In March 1993, the Character Education Partnership (CEP) was established as a national coalition whose goal was to place character education at the top of the national educational agenda (Lickona, 1993). Violent behavior, lack of respect, lack of remorse, dishonesty, and no clear understanding of the differences between right and wrong was becoming commonplace in public schools. Lickona, T. (1993). The return of character education. Educational Leadership, 51, 6-11.

  • Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS)

    Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS)
    “The Office of Special Education Programs Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) was initially funded in 1998” (PBIS, 2016). PBIS is a framework for approach for assisting school personnel in adopting and organizing evidence-based behavioral interventions that enhance academic and social behavior outcomes for all students. Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports. (2016). About PBIS. Retrieved January 27, 2016, from https://www.pbis.org/about-us