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Show Schoolers. Home j Dr. Daryl J. McCarfy Executive Secretary Utah Education Association A Gallup poll of American adults showed that four out of five approved of schools teaching morals and moral behavior. Decades ago, teachers lectured their students on rectitude because the public expected it. Then some people began raising questions about whether this was appropriate for the schools. The facts seem to indicate that somebody, somewhere needs to teach the subject. We see the evidence all around us. Signs at service stations tell us that the company com-pany won't keep cash around after dark because it might prove tempting to some stick-up stick-up artist. Go to a women's fashion store, and you find the stylish leather coats on the racks-secured there by locks that can be opened only by a saleslady. Ask why, and she'll tell you it's to prevent thefts by shoplifters who would otherwise brazenly wear the coats out of the place. Shoplifting in Utah is on the increase again and of great concern to all merchants merchan-ts in our state. Enter a public building and you're asked to identify yourself your-self to an armed guard. Ask why, and they explain there's been a bomb threat. So every now and then somebody calls on schools to teach "morals'" or "ethics" or "values." But what should be taught in these classes? The courts tell us public schools cannot teach religion, so it can't be that. Some school systems are trying to define the kinds of things that will be taught in moral education classes. Among them are such concepts con-cepts as responsibility for one's own actions; honesty; respect for other persons' property; respect for law; peaceful solutions to problems; tolerance; and the respect for rights of others. A North Dakota educator, speaking recently in Utah, declared that he will teach moral behavior to his students. studen-ts. He added that educators had better learn to do this "or the bad people in the streets are going to pick up spears and start demanding things." Some citizens believe moral education should be taught in the home or the church. Time and experience will tell us how much effort public schools will devote to this kind of education. In the meantime, parents should make sure their children are taught morals and moral behavior in the home. |