Cobb County Georgia Principled Thinking Program
|
|
Cobb County Georgia Principled Thinking Program |
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|
Description of Program: Fall 1998 - presentIn 1998, the Center for ETHICS* developed a partnership in character education with Cobb County Schools of Marietta, Georgia, entitled "Principled Thinking". The goal was to challenge students to become better principled thinkers about the moral issues they face in their lives. Ten teachers from five different high schools were involved in the initial training using the SBH* Ethical Standard, a curriculum designed to teach students how to become active, critical thinkers, based on democratic principles of respect, honesty, responsibility, and justice. The curriculum is a comprehensive, multi-media approach involving computer aided learning, interactive CD-ROMs, videos, texts, and day-by-day lessons and activities. Students read the book "Who Says this is Cheating?" as well as work through a workbook entitled "Principled Thinking...Life Lessons for High School Students or Why Should I Tell the Truth When No One Else Does?" 52 students, in two different high schools, were involved in the initial fall, 1998 pilot program. The program has shown to be effective in helping students to become better reasoned thinkers. Students were pre and post-tested with the RSB Values Inventory, a tool that measures changes in students' reasoning (see Table one).
|
Student Comments about Principled Thinking Course:"This course has been an eye-opening experience for me. I have learned to go into a class with an open mind while still standing firm in my beliefs and principles. I am now able to see many angles of a situation instead of just mine." Female High School Student "Overall this class brings forth several beneficial elements. Designed to address
aspects of sportsmanship and morality, the class only has positive effects. Each
individual has a certain set of values. In this class we address the issue of values,
morality, etc... and by doing so, challenge each person's set of values to some extent.
Everyone was challenged to reaffirm or even consider changing their views on values,
honesty, etc..."Female High School Student "Every student after taking this class may not possess perfect standards, but the very process of challenging the way things are now ensures a possibility for improvement. As the students interact, they learn from each other and are challenged by each other." Female High School Student "This class will help in the future in the real world." Male High School Student "I found it very interesting to find out others' opinions and the specific situations they have been in. It wasn't just another class where the teacher lectures and the students listen." Female High School Student "It does a good job of helping you recognize your morals and what is right... This class should be a class in every high school so maybe we can prevent the hard-headed rule breakers." Male High School Student "Not only does this class make you think, but it helps create great qualities. Knowing how peers and other people deal with their problems gives you a better outlook on life. You understand that you are not the only person who gets into certain situations and that makes you more confident." Female High School Student "I think the morals and ethics class is an excellent way to teach us to become better all around people. Moral and ethics class is definitely something that should be considered throughout the nation in all levels of education." Male High School Student "I think this class is a great idea...it made me realize the importance of integrity." Male High School Student "This class has opened my eyes. I show much more respect for people." Male High School Student "This program has been great. It was great to learn more about better ways to handle situations." Female High School Student __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ For verification of program contact: Joseph Redden, Superintendent Project Curriculum Specialist: Dr. Sharon Kay
Stoll |
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
