Building An Ethical School: A Practical Response To The Moral Crisis In Schools

by Robert J. Starratt

The author argues for much greater attention to ethical education and responds to sceptics who say that it can't be done in the face of a pluralistic secular society badly fragmented over values. Seeking always for themes and issues that unite rather than divide, the author provides a conceptual foundation for ethical education broad enough for building consensus among teachers and parents, yet focused enough to provide guidance for highly specific learning activities. The second half of the book takes the reader through a carefully devised series of steps by which a school community might proceed in building their ethical school. The final chapter reminds of the many difficulties to be met along the way, but offers encouragement to strengthen the resolve of the school community. The book concludes with two helpful appendices: the first provides detailed information on exiting initiatives already underway in ethical education, the second offers an annotated bibliography of books and essays which are available for those educators who need or want to read more on the topic of ethical education.

164 pages, Hardcover

First published February 3, 1994

Reviews

[Elke · Rating 2 out of 5]

If the book was based on the first three chapters or if it changed the full title of the book, I would rate it 3 stars. Starratt is strongest in Chapter 2 when he points out some of patterns of behaving and reasoning in schools that are ethically problematic. The problem is that the "practical" advice it offers is simply a listing of things that the author thinks should happen- he does not draw on any case study of schools that might have tried to build an ethical community. As a theoretical piece- this book is great for providing an integrated framework for thinking about ethical schools.