Evening star., 1915-06-05
MORAL INSTRUCTION IN
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
By Frederic J. Haskin.

| The competition open to every one for
| two cash prizes. to be awarded for the
best essays upon moral or religious
! education, including a definite code of
training adapted to the American pub
TIC schools. is drawing attention to a
subject which for several years has
oeen regarded as presenting one Of the
most difficult problems now confront
ing the educators. The largest prize
amounts to $1,000. 1t has been donated
oy business man, to be awarded un-
der the direction of the National Insti
tuition for Moral instruction, which is
composed of many well known edu-
GATORS and men and women prominent
| IN phiianthropic and sociological work
| OF different kinds. The conditions for
the award of this prize are now being
| considered
Inc other competition closes June /.
1t is under the direction of the National
Education Association, and offers a
prize of 1000 for the best essay. not
| exceeding 10000 words. upon The Es-
| sential Place of Religious Tea ching in
/ Education" Each essay must be ac-
| companied by the outline of plan by
which the views of the writer may
! form code of moral instruction adapt
| ed to the public schools. The number
| of letters of inquiry regarding this
| contest indicate that a large number of
essays are to be expected.
| Owing to changed domestic and So
| cial conditions, neither the church nor
| complete moral and religious training.
| A large number of children are re-
| ceiving absolutely no instruction in
] this direction. The increasing number
of offenders brought before the juve-
| nile courts is one indication of the
result of this lack. A few efforts have
| been made to have the church and
| school cooperate by excusing the chill
dren for certain period each week, in
order that they may attend religious
classes provided by their respective
churches, but this movement has not
been we'll organized or generally ac-
hcepted. 1t does not solve the question
for the large number of children who
have no church affiliations whatever.
The public school is the chief educa-
tional resource of the nation, and char
cter-building is regarded as the i'm
portant end of education. Character
can only be developed by a definite
sense of right. and this sense must be
cultivated by proper instruction.
A few individual teachers throughout
the country have formulated courses
OF moral fnstruc-
Moral Instruction ton for their
in the Schools. ~ how. rsoo,u.s 49, .sa
Endorsement of the school authorities
and are now in practical operation. The
results indicate the tremendous value
of having such instruction made OBJ
ligatory In the schools of the country.
A plan originated by Miss Jane Brown
lee Of the La Grange School of Toledo.
Ohio, is being used by other schools of
that city. She began with series Of
five-minute talks upon some definite
subject Afterward, a word indicating
direct ethical value was selected for
each month Of the year, and the chill
dren were urged to express their
thoughts upon 1t. The ten-month pro-
gram, beginning with September. in
cludes such subjects as kindness,
obedience, cleanliness. self control.
courtesy and cheerfulness work, honor
and honesty. truthfulness. cslean Ian
guage and for the last month, manners
and. a review of the years Wprk. !,
During the month in which a word is