Education is Not Enough.

"Smart and good high schools educate for both performance character and moral character," was a concluding statement of a 2005 study written by Dr. Thomas Lickona, a leading researcher and proponent for character development in schools. Lynbrook, and public schools in general, focus attention on performance and the success that academics bring such as entrance into college, career opportunities and the like. This is one criteria for evaluating a successful education.

However, there remains the moral or ethical development that each student needs in order to be a successful and productive person within society. As the recent “SAT Cheaters” case clearly shows, being smart is not the same as being moral. To be both smart and moral should be the objective.

The first place for character development should certainly be the home and parents. Learning right from wrong, and kindness from bullying should be as important as learning ones ABC’s. Most parents take to heart their responsibility to instill in their children morals and give attention to character development. A Carnegie Foundation survey found that 70% of the parents surveyed agreed that the family had the primary responsibility. However, statistics regarding unethical or immoral behavior; bullying, cheating, lying, drug use, porn, suicide, rudeness, continue to show not only an increase, but, more frightfully, an acceptance that such behavior is normative. Between the constant exposure to the destructive influence of Hollywood and some music, it is evident that parents could use some support.

As a Pastor, I believe that parents would be wise to avail themselves of religious education programs that surround them, whatever their faith. At our church, whether in formal Sunday school class or our informal “Truth” Youth group,  learning the ‘Golden Rule’ or the ‘Ten Commandments’ or how Jesus cared for the poor and we should also, is one way to find or enhance the moral teaching that develops character. We believe, as the Apostle Paul states in Galatians 5:22;

“But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives; much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard- things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely...Against such things there is no law.”

I believe this is the type of character we would all want to see developed in our young people. And what a bonus if this was combined with great academics! Back in November 2011, the Lynbrook Board of Education’s suggested “enhancing the academic experience by strengthening curriculum in lower grades” for an easier, “transition to higher grade levels.” The same can be said for the character development that comes from moral and ethical teaching, it needs to start early to ease the transition into adulthood.

Even though schools may be limited to such teaching from a ‘religious’ point of view, there are similar, secular, programs such as ‘Character Counts.’ Their program is based on six pillars of essential ethical values: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship.   

I encourage parents and schools to emphasize such character development in our young people to help create a well-rounded, morally-grounded, whole individual.   

Proverbs 22:6 encourages us: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”