Foundational Principles of Morality

The term “morality” can be used either

descriptively to refer to some codes of conduct put forward by a society or,some other group, such as a religion, oraccepted by an individual for her own behavior or

normatively to refer to a code of conduct that, given specified conditions, would be put forward by all rational persons

Moral Principles of Education

The teacher needs to understand public opinion and the social order, as much as the public needs to comprehend the nature of expert educational service. – John Dewey

Moral Purpose of SchoolMoral ideas vs. Ideas about Morality“Moral ideas” are ideas of any sort whatsoever

which take effect in conduct and improve it, make it better than it otherwise would be

“ideas about morality” may be morally indifferent or immoral or moral.

There is nothing in the nature of ideas about morality, of information about honesty or purity or kindness which automatically transmutes such ideas into good character or good conduct.

The moral responsibility of the school, and of those who conduct it, is to society.

The school is fundamentally an institution erected by society to do a certain specific work,—to exercise a certain specific function in maintaining the life and advancing the welfare of society.

The child is an organic whole, intellectually, socially, and morally, as well as physically. We must take  the child as a member of society in the broadest sense, and demand for and from the schools whatever is necessary to enable the child intelligently to recognize all his social relations and take his part in sustaining them.

Teachers as Role ModelsWhat should they be modeling?Teacher’s were expected to be morally

upright individuals who displayed good character

They were expected to teach and discipline students

The public expects teachers to display behaviours such as FairnessHonestyAdherence

Virtue ,Moral and CharacterVirtue is a quality the person has

It is socially valuedMorals are behavior

Moral virtue like honesty is morally valuedCharacterthe mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual

it is who we are even when no one is watching

School and teachers should educate for character

A Person of CharacterWisdom to know the right from

wrongHonestTrusworthyFairRespectfulResponsibleAdmits and learns from mistakesCommits to live in these principles

Teachers as they interact should exemplify models of character by making professional judgment and decisions based on societal and moral values

Teaching for and with IntegrityIntegrity should be embodied or reflected in the character of an individual

It is the consistency of character regardless of religion, race , or ethnicity

Modeling IntegrityTeachers model integrity by doing the right

thing even when no one is lookingConsistently doing what is right even it

would be easier to do the other side and much more beneficial

Teachers should emphasize the importance of exercising self control and restraint when challenged into some compromising situation

Teachers integrity or lack of it is highly observable for students

They evaluate the character of their teachers based on how they are being taught

They know when teacher are genuinely concern and cares for them

How can teachers serve as role models?Honesty

Telling the truth and acting in an honorable way

Compliance to rules and lawsFulfilling promises and commitments

Maintaining confidentiality of student records

Not lying, cheating or stealing

TrustAn honest person can be trustedTrust replaces apprehension and fearWhen students trust their teachers

they are helping them trust in themselves as well

It develops when students are told what the expectations are, meets them and received the promised reward

It is effectively taught when lived

FairnessAll opportunity to meet the standards

Absence of discriminationSometimes fairness also means treating the student differently because this is the right thing to do so

Respect Means showing regard and

appreciation for the worth of someone or something.

It means honor and esteem

ResponsibilityBeing morally accountable for their actions and fulfilling their duties

Well prepared for their classWhen they model health-related physical fitness, good nutrition and absence of drug abuse

Teaching how to reason morallyFirst step is to learn moral principlesPrinciples are universal rules of conduct

and are based on moral virtues and valuesMoral reasoning is the systematic process

of evaluating personal virtuesStages

Moral knowingMoral valuingMoral acting

Help students differentiate on themselves what is right or wrongGuide them to go through the usual notions such asThere is no rule against itEveryone else does itNo one will ever find outThe situation calls for me to act this

way

Teachers should educate students not to justify or rationalize their decisions or behaviors but rather to use the moral-reasoning process when making decisions.

Moral knowingCognitive phase

Learning about the issue and how to resolve them

They shouldn’t justify wrong actions so that it would seem right

Moral valuingInternalization of valuesThis can be taught by modeling it themselves

Moral acting

Sometime difficult because it requires the courage to stand out from the crowd and different

Even under pressure, the students should still be able the correct choices

“Moral reasoning does not promise behavioral change, but it promises

individual soul searching and reflection on personal beliefs, values and principles. Without this process cognitive moral growth will not

increase, behavior change will not occur and the potential for consistent moral action becomes little more than a hit or miss proposition.”–Stoll and beller