CURRICULUM OF MORAL EDUCATION EDC 3363 DR.

MOHD JOHDI BIN SALLEH

Table of Content
NO 1 2 3 4 CONTENTS Definition of Moral Education Moral Development in Child Introduction of Moral Education in UK and USA Moral Education in USA SLIDES NO 3 4-5 6 7-8

5 6
7 8 9

Moral Education in USA ( The Problems ) Moral Education in USA ( The Solutions )
Moral Education in United Kingdom Moral Education Differences Between USA and UK Refferences

9 10 - 14
15 - 18 19 - 20 21

Definition of Moral Education

Moral education is the guidance and teaching of good

behavior and values. Moral education is taught to young children in schools, providing them with a sense of politeness and lawfulness. The definition of "moral development refers to pupils' knowledge, understanding, intentions, attitudes and behavior in relation to what is right or wrong." Students should "explore the place of reason in ethical matters and as autonomous moral agents acquire valuesystems which are their own (rather than simply transmitted by others and accepted uncritically).

Moral development in Child

According to Wilson et al (1967, p.129): A child needs to accept

a certain code of behaviour, parental commands, traditional rules etc.

Durkheim (in Wilson, 1961) says:

The child must come to feel himself what there is in a rule which determines that he should abide by it willingly. In other words he must sense the moral authority in the rule, which renders it worthy of respect (p154).
Teachers and parents should confront the child with their own

moral codes in a very clear and definite manner so that, whether he accepts or rejects a code, at least he knows what he is accepting or rejecting (Wilson in Wilson et al, 1967, p.132).

Moral development in Child

Pupils' moral development involves pupils acquiring an

understanding of the difference between right and wrong and of moral conflict, a concern for others and the will to do what is right.
They are able and willing to reflect on the consequences of

their actions and learn how to forgive themselves and others.

They develop the knowledge, skills and understanding,

qualities and attitudes they need in order to make responsible moral decisions and act on them.

Introduction of Moral Education in UK and USA

Education is an arm of the government, and is under

political control. Governmental control is defined through constitutions, laws and regulations. with each individual state. Council.

In the United States the responsibility for education rests In the United Kingdom there is a National Curriculum Education has become more centralized, so that each

country's educational agenda is in addition to the national curriculum.

Moral Education in USA

In the United States moral education refers to the

broad concept of right and wrong. However, for some morality refers cultural standards (Robb).
Moral education in the United States is focussing on

character education.
Character is "a reliable inner disposition to respond to

situations in a morally good way. It refers to the moral qualities and ethical standards which make up the inner nature of a person.

Moral Education in USA

Character might be termed the moral personality.

Behavior is a product of character. Character education holds to the premise that civilization has a common core of shared values, referred to as universal values or public values.
These universal values are rational, objectively valid,

universally accepted qualities, actions and ideals to which people of all civilized nations, creeds, races, socio-economic status and ethnicity ascribe.

Moral Education in USA ( The Problems )

Since education is government controlled, and since

there is a character education movement building, how is the government becoming involved in addressing character education?

Moral Education in USA ( The Solutions )

Three models emerged in the United States: No state level activity State encouragement State mandated character education
No state level activity The states with no state-level activity may have made a

conscious decision that character education should be at the local level as a grass roots endeavor.

Moral Education in USA ( The Solutions )

No state level activity ( Cont )

The advantage of this model is that character education is by local choice rather than state mandate. Those involved in it are committed teachers and districts. The disadvantage is that educators in these states may not become aware of character education. Dissemination of information is difficult. No funding for activities.

State encouragement Each school is encouraged to instill the highest character and academic excellence in each student, in close cooperation with the student's parents, and with input from the community and educators.

Moral Education in USA ( The Solutions )

State encouragement ( Cont )

Schools should make every effort, formally and informally, to stress character qualities that will maintain a safe and orderly learning environment, and that will ultimately equip students to be model citizens. The advantage of encouraging rather than mandating the character education program is that teachers and schools systems are given resources, and choice about using them. The State of Washington legislative rule RCW 28A.150.210 describes the Basic Education ActGoal.The goal of the Basic Education Act for the schools of the state of Washington shall be to provide students with the opportunity to become responsible citizens, to contribute to their own economic well-being and to that of their families and communities, and to enjoy productive and satisfying lives.

Moral Education in USA ( The Solutions )

State mandated character education In November 1991 the State Board of Education in Oregon adopted the following statewide policy regarding character education in Oregon's public schools: Schools share responsibility with the home, religious institutions and community agencies for the development of positive character traits in young people.
In July 1993 the State Board of Education adopted an

administrative rules to include character education as an element of a standard education in Oregon's public schools:

Moral Education in USA ( The Solutions )

State mandated character education (4) Character Education. Character Education is the process of helping students develop and practice the core ethical values that our diverse society shares and holds important. These values include but are not limited to, respect, responsibility, caring, trustworthiness, justice and fairness, and civic virtue and citizenship.(OAR581-21-200)
Character education was added to the curriculum content

requirements in 1994: (26) The study of the core ethical values which our society shares and holds important, including but not limited to respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, caring, honesty, justice and fairness, and citizenship and civic involvement.

Moral Education in United Kingdom

In the Education Reform Act of 1988 it was stated that

there should be a school policy regarding values education.

It also stated that the teacher is a moral agent, and that

schools teach values.

The 1992 Schools Act stated that schools should

"promote the spiritual, moral, mental, physical and cultural development."

Moral Education in United Kingdom

In the Education Reform Act of 1988 it was stated that

there should be a school policy regarding values education. It also stated that the teacher is a moral agent, and that schools teach values.
The 1992 Schools Act stated that schools should

"promote the spiritual, moral, mental, physical and cultural development."

Moral Education in United Kingdom

The National Curriculum Council offers a list of moral issues:

School values should include telling the truth, keeping promises, respecting the rights and property of others, acting considerately towards others, helping those less fortunate and weaker than ourselves, taking personal responsibility for one's actions, self-discipline. School values should reject bullying, cheating, deceit, cruelty, irresponsibility and dishonesty.
There are four elements of moral education, according to a NCC Discussion Paper:
The will to behave morally as a point of principle. Knowledge of the codes and conventions of conduct agreed by society. Knowledge and understanding of the criteria put forward as a basis for

making responsible judge judgements on moral issues. The ability to make judgements on moral issues.

Moral Education in United Kingdom

Morally educated school leavers should be able to:

distinguish between right and wrong. articulate their own attitudes and values. take responsibility for their own actions. recognise the moral dimention to situations. understand the long and short-term consequences of their actions for themselves and others develop for themselves a set of socially acceptable values and principles, and set guidelines to govern their own behavior recognise that their values and attidues may have to change over time. behave consistently in accordance with their principles.

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Moral Education Differences Between USA and UK

In the United Kingdom moral and religious education

are treated as one subject.Moral education in schools has traditionally been associated with religious education . All religions stress the importance of morality and give guidance in the form of general principles, codes or rules.
There is a blending of religious and moral.

Moral Education Differences Between USA and UK

In the United States Supreme Court decisions since

the 1960s have systematically stripped religion from the public schools.
Therefore moral education must be kept separate from

religion.

Refferences
Bull, N.J. (1969) Moral Education, London, Routledge &

Kegan Paul Scott Baldauf, Reading, Writing, and Right and Wrong, The Christian Science Monitor (August 27, 1996) Colleen OConnor, The We Decade: Rebirth of Community, The Dallas Morning News (March 10, 1995) Damon, W. (1988). The moral child: Nurturing childrens natural moral growth. New York: The Free Press.