Character Education in Print: Content Analysis of Character Education in Introduction to Education Textbooks

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Protz, B. (2013). Character Education in Print: Content Analysis of Character Education in Introduction to Education Textbooks. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

Albert Einstein is credited with saying that the most important component of education is the development of students' character. While debate exists as to the delivery of character education in the public schools, it must be recognized that not all students have a support system outside of the schoolhouse. Consequently, when character development is not fostered within the home setting, this responsibility falls to the schools. Additionally, 36 states have enacted legislation that either mandates or encourages the inclusion of character education instruction in the schools' curriculum. To address this need as well as comply with legislative mandates, teachers must first be provided the skill set to effectively incorporate character education in their respective classrooms. Teacher education programs bear this responsibility; however, the authors and publishers of textbooks marketed and sold for teacher education do as well. This study analyzed the content of eight introduction to education textbooks to determine the extent to which character education was presented to teacher candidates. The results revealed that the expansive topic of character education was largely silent in these textbooks. The information presented was found to be narrow in scope and breadth. Strong recommendations were offered for consideration by programs of education, professors, authors, and the publishing industry.

Details
Author

Protz, Babette

Title

Character Education in Print: Content Analysis of Character Education in Introduction to Education Textbooks

Physical Description

1 online resource (230 pages) : PDF

Date

2013

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

Albert Einstein is credited with saying that the most important component of education is the development of students' character. While debate exists as to the delivery of character education in the public schools, it must be recognized that not all students have a support system outside of the schoolhouse. Consequently, when character development is not fostered within the home setting, this responsibility falls to the schools. Additionally, 36 states have enacted legislation that either mandates or encourages the inclusion of character education instruction in the schools' curriculum. To address this need as well as comply with legislative mandates, teachers must first be provided the skill set to effectively incorporate character education in their respective classrooms. Teacher education programs bear this responsibility; however, the authors and publishers of textbooks marketed and sold for teacher education do as well. This study analyzed the content of eight introduction to education textbooks to determine the extent to which character education was presented to teacher candidates. The results revealed that the expansive topic of character education was largely silent in these textbooks. The information presented was found to be narrow in scope and breadth. Strong recommendations were offered for consideration by programs of education, professors, authors, and the publishing industry.

Genre

doctoral dissertations

Subjects--Topics

Education

Degree

Ph.D.

Keywords

Character Education
Citizenship
Delinquency
Ethics
Teacher Preparation
Values

Subject Area

Curriculum & Instruction

Advisor(s)

Jones, Jeanneine

Committee Members

Pugalee, David
Coston, Charisse
DiBiase, Warren

Degree Note

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2013.

Rights Statement

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Protz_uncc_0694D_10469

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:181