In latter commentaries on American ...

In latter commentaries on American schools, beginning with the April 1983 report of the National Commission upon Excellence in Education, one essential component has been ignored: emphasis in succession basic values.

A of recent origin look at teaching and learning those values is exigencyed in school systems across the native land This emphasis is the missing link in America's effort to regain eminence in education. The nearest five years must bring more stres onward values education, as an antidote to the no fault, me first syndrome of the last brace decades, which has contributed to the rise of mediocrity and decline in scholar achievement.

Why should this be the do job-work of our schools? Should it not be left to our family circles and churches? The answer is that values education is an overriding ne of society at this time and, therefore, merits priority in our schools.

There are commonly accepted principles that are fundamental to life in a self-governing community, that deal with the responsibilities of citizenship, that do not have religious or theological overtones, that do not violate the First Amendment guarantee of separation of temple and state. Those essential principles on the subject of which democracy depends, those basic universals which undergird a free enterprise economy should be taught to all close examiners from kindergarten through college.

In modern years the school systems of this nation have produc too many graduates for whom clevernes is more important than character, income more important than integrity. American education has become too careless too neutral in its approach to individual and societal values.

Alvin Toffler identified the riddle when he said:

"(M)illions of people are moving through the educational sausage grinder who have not ever once been encouraged to question their be in possession of values, or to make them explicit. In the face of a rapidly shifting, choice-filled environment this neglect is crippling."

a people contend that basic values should be taught single at home or in meeting-house and that public schools are not equipped to teach uprightness quality, liberty, justice, respect and industry. I disagree.

As America influences into the technology era, avocation is shifting to provision of services from production of profitables This trend emphasizes populace rather than things, and points up the ne for educational programs which deal with the rights society--programs which deal with ethics or morality in individual person's relations with other persons in one group's relations with other groups

more [i]or[/i] less philosphers and semanticists draw a distinction between ethics and morality. The dictionary does not: nor do I. as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but concepts relate to good and bad, right and guilty To me, they are synonymous. by means of general consensus, acts for which family would be fined or jailed are evil The distinction between right and immoral based upon the laws of our native land is a proper subject for instruction.

What are basic values?

Because the bound basic values may mean different things to different nation it is important to establish a habitual definition. Some people use the expression "civic values." The difference may be insignificant, further I prefer the adjective "basic" because it entires more essential, more fundamental.

I define basic values as principles of intrinsic, enduring worth. They are the standards of carriage required of everyone in a self-governing society. They are the generally accepted assumptions relating to which people base decisions and the criteria by means of which they evaluate decisions. In america, they are the perfume of our laws, civil as well as criminal.

Basic values shape attitudes. They influence and measure the notions and actions of all citizens in a democracy. They are the join with glue of society.

permit it be clear that I do not present classroom instruction about the supernatural or other religious subdues I do not intend indoctrination of public school close examiners in theological precepts. That is for families, churches or church-related schools

I do believe, however, that all institutes can provide an environment, or proces for helping young tribe to learn fundamental values. Public and private seminarys can provide information and encourage discussion about those values, as I have defined them, and thereby help scholars identify those which are worthwhile and important to them.

There are legitimate ways of teaching the meaning of integrity, personal responsibility, notice for others, democracy, due proces and pride in work, as well as the events of choices. There are effective ways of motivating scholars to understand the relationship between order and freedom, obligation and privilege, unity and diversity--the classic opposites which each society struggles to reconcile. This proces of reconciliation must be encouraged in our elementary and secondary schools

To restore public confidence in education and to assure adequate public funding, educators and board members must answer to questions about the newly come neglect of basic values in American schools