The Evaluation of a Character Education Program on the Behavior

Of Third Grade Students in an Urban Elementary School

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This study would have been impossible without the immense support of my family and friends and the constant guidance of my supervisors and teachers. This study has been created due to the tireless commitment of friends and family members who have supported me in my time of need to chosen to support me in all my endeavors, to you all I owe my success.

DECLARATION

I declare that the entire content of this dissertation is entirely my own work; the content used in this dissertation has not been submitted before in any educational institution and represents my own opinion and does not represent the opinion of the university.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

The potential cause behind poor behavior may be due to a lack of ethical education, highlighted by the absence of character education programs. The purpose behind this qualitative research study was to determine whether character education programs have a positive impact of the behavior of third grade students. Information was gathered through primary and secondary qualitative research, primary research was conducted through interviews, third grade teachers from an urban school were considered for this study. The total participants were 6, secondary research was conducted through various research materials gathered from multiple sources. The results obtained for this study clearly highlight the need for effective character education programs since they are linked with positive classroom behavior, plus they help in teaching the students with social skills required throughout life. The data gathered and knowledge accumulated offers an understanding of the character education programs in enforcing positive behavior within classrooms.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTi

DECLARATIONii

ABSTRACTiii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Introduction to Chapter1

Background of study1

Statement of Problem3

Justification of study9

Audience9

Deficiencies in the Evidence10

Significance of this Study10

Definitions of Terms11

Purpose of the Study12

Research Aim and Objectives13

Summary of this Study14

Chapter Summary15

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW16

Introduction to Chapter18

Archival Overview18

Misbehavior within classrooms24

Comparison of character education and moral theories33

The right approach for teaching Character education34

Creating a positive framework for changing In appropriate behavior36

Theoretical Prospective38

Character Education Plan39

Character Education41

Is character education a priority?43

Historical Issues in Character Education45

The Eleven Principles of Character Education49

Importance of Character Education53

Character Education Programs57

Youth Frontiers Character Program57

Character Challenge Organization59

Kindness if Contagious60

Character Counts62

The Great Expectation63

The Positive Aspect of Character Education71

Summary of Chapter77

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY80

Introduction to Chapter80

Target Group80

Research Design80

Research Questions82

Instrumentation82

Limitations of Study84

Assumptions of the study84

Delimitations of Study85

Reliability and Validity86

Internal Validity87

Ethical Considerations88

Time Schedule89

Oral defense90

Summary of Chapter91

CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS92

Introduction to Chapter92

Interview Findings92

Findings from Literature116

Understanding Misbehavior amongst Students116

Making Character Education Work117

Language based curriculum118

Direct Instructions118

Content and Process118

Positive Language119

School Climate119

Visual Assistance120

Teacher Friendly Material120

Teacher Flexibility121

Evaluation121

Discussion121

Summary of Chapter123

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION127

Introduction to chapter127

Summary of Previous Chapters127

Recommendations131

Recommendations for Further Research134

Implications135

Conclusion136

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Introduction to Chapter

This chapter will cover the background of the issue under study, the problem statement, the purpose, nature, significance of this study. The researcher will also discuss the research questions, aims and objectives and the outline of the thesis. This chapter is of critical importance since it will help the readers in understanding why the researcher is pursuing this topic and this ...