Wendy Homan - 2002

A New Look at Character Education

For her Master of Education Thesis, Wendy Homan evaluated the SACSC approach to character education and conflict management within the Toward a safe and caring curriculum – ATA resources for integration (ATA, 1999) resource. She completed the evaluation in Spring 2002. To introduce the study, she described the safe and caring program and the issues that face Alberta schools. In her introduction she states:

I believe that this program, and character education in general, is currently ‘hot’ topic because of the controversial nature of what should be contained in a program that teaches moral decision-making. But it is also a ‘hot’ issue because of the emergency situation many of us in education feel at this time. This emergency is caused by the increased incidence of violence and disrespectful behaviours in and outside the classroom. Student safety is threatened and the creation of a positive learning environment is becoming harder to achieve and maintain.

Through her field study, Wendy Homan found that students participating in safe and caring program activities experienced:

• A sense of community, autonomy and empathy in the classroom.
• Considering different perspectives, expressing opinions and demonstrating respect for ourselves and others occur throughout the school day.
• Making personal judgements based on courteous and considerate actions
• Respecting the Opinions of others through democratic decision making
• Group problem solving and cooperation
• Moral knowing, feeling and behaviour
• Self esteem and pride in work
• Accountability for their actions and awareness of consequence and appropriate behaviour
• Autonomy and independent thinking
• Tolerance and understanding
• Creativity and expression

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