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Show their daily prograni. TropiCds Reported "Teachers, supervisors and superintendents super-intendents alike report encoura;;-ing encoura;;-ing progress. They do not hesitate .0 say that there is a noticeable improvement in t!.e conduct, atti--udes and ideals of u.e children. It is our conviction that the state character education program is a means for positive and succef:sfu training in character." Frank discussion of life's problems prob-lems honesty, fair play, pood manners, man-ners, moral relationships, "petting," dancing, smoking by boy and girl eaders in classrooms and specia: conferences is another phase of character building program adopted adopt-ed in some schools. Various schools in Iowa send student stu-dent delegates to a state confer. nee each year to discuss frankly the perplexing problems affecting : g Morality Is Being Taught EDITOR'S NOTE This is the third and last of a series of stories on the modern trend of education edu-cation by Beryl Miller, writer for Evening Herald and NEA Service. By BERYL MILLER NEA Service Writer Alarmed by the increase- in juvenile ju-venile delinquency and crime, school authorities throughout the United States are adopting c pre-hnnsive pre-hnnsive programs of moral tauca- 5 , I portrays, because boys and girls naturally tend to imitate that which they admire, although they may not realize it. "During" recent years, thoughtful people have seen ifie need for improved im-proved moral conduct and the need for some workable plan by which young people may become more fully imbued with the great value of an upright life," explains Superintendent Super-intendent Jensen. "In 1924, I appointed a committer to formulate an' outline which might serve as a guide in a statewide state-wide program of character education educa-tion for1 all the schools. The following follow-ing year the plan was sent to all boards of educahon in the state with suggestions for its use. Its use was not mandatory. Each year an increasing number of schools have made this training a part of their lives. Addresses by prominent lawyers, judges, doctors, religious and civic workei-3, professors and others interested in-terested in youth's problems are included in some moral education programs. Cleveland public schools are experimenting ex-perimenting with a "conference plan" of teaching. Under this system, individusl desks are dis carded e.nd the pupils sit at a long table and discuss their problems in much the same manner as directors direct-ors of a business firm. Instead of being taught to fear the disciplinary measures of stern teachers, children today are treated treat-ed as individuals of intelligence. Every effort is being made to put them through the same experience they will encounter in life when formal school training is ended and their character is being molded while they are at a plastic age. ( tice, fair play, truthfulness and love and honor. 3. Ability to see vividly the possible pos-sible consequences of both good and evil conduct. 4. Loyalty in thought, word and deed to the highest ethical standards stand-ards of family, church, state and school. Among the pioneers in the character char-acter education field is C. N. Jensen, Jen-sen, superintendent of public instruction in-struction in Utah, who established the first state-wide program of moral training for boys and girls in 1925. After four years of experimenta-t?on, experimenta-t?on, Utah schools this full adopted a revised and enlarged character training program. It is now being used as a model by scores of other schools in the United States. The Utah plan is used in elementary, elemen-tary, junior and senior high schools. Begins in Kindergarten Youngsters in kindergarten are taught proper habits of health, clothing, sleep, cleanliness and fairness in play and conversation. Mathematics, languages, economics, econom-ics, grammar and composition are presente-d in such a manner as to inculcate in the minds of older students stu-dents the vital elements of high moral character. For instance, an economics student stu-dent learns appreciation of the fact that wealth is . a necessary means to human well being, but that it is only a means not an end and should never be confused with the more ultimate goals of human life. Students are taught to love good literature .and to admire the ideal3, . iiwmf tion in an effort to promote stability stabil-ity and character in the lives of the nation's 25,000,000 boys and girls. -Instructors are placing greater emphasis on character training on inculcating in the minds of voung people such worthy ideals, habits and attitudes as will exert a wholesome moral influence tipon locictv. Mere intellectual achievement achieve-ment is no longex the only goal. Hundreds of communities are cooperating co-operating with special committees of the National Education association associa-tion to initiate programs that will subconsciously develop in boys and girls such essential elements pt moral character as: 1. Self-restraint in the control of tongues and temper, appetites, passions pas-sions and greed for wealth and power. 2. Habitual practice of acts of honesty, good will, tolerance, jus- j |