What is “character education?” Is it controversial to teach values in the classroom? Are our already-burdened public schools taking on the family’s responsibility when molding a student’s character? These are the questions Humankind explores in a two-part series at South Carroll High School, a school nationally recognized for its character education programs and overall excellence. Join David Freudberg as he interviews students, administrators, and faculty on this hot-button issue and examines one of the biggest education questions facing America today.

Themes

• Should schools be teaching values like compassion and tolerance, or is this a job only for parents?
• What benefits do children receive from participating in community service activities?
• How can teachers impart values like respect, to students? And what are the challenges that teachers face when they attempt to teach such values? Do they need to be role models for students?
• What’s expected of parents in such a system?

In the long run, I’m not sure that it matters if a student learns Algebra, but I know that it matters if a student learns right from wrong. I know that it matters if a person learns that in this world we have to help each other. I don’t see how we get around that. “

—George Booz, former principal at South Carroll High School