ABSTRACT
There is widespread agreement that schools should contribute to students’ moral development and character formation. Currently, 80% of states have mandates regarding character education. These state trends re ect the public expectation that schools be places where children receive support for the formation of values such as honesty (97%), respect for others (94%), democracy (93%), and respect for people of different races and backgrounds (93%) (Public Agenda, 1994). Students tend to share these beliefs: 78% support the proposition that schools should promote values such as honesty and tolerance of others (Public Agenda, 1997).
