The Impact of Ethical Philosophy upon the Academic and Character Development of Students at a High-Performing Urban Charter High School

• In Event: Charter School Challenges: Serving Diverse Students Through Appropriate Intervention

Abstract

This mixed methods study considers the effects of an ethical philosophy curriculum upon the moral development of high school students at an urban charter school. The Crimson Preparatory Charter School engages students in a weekly ethical philosophy class taught by a dedicated faculty member. This study found that Crimson Prep students demonstrated significant increases in their commitment to integrity, community connectedness, and self-reported ethical actions in comparison to peers at a nearby charter school who served as a robust comparison group. Our results suggest that providing students with the opportunity to reflect upon their roles and responsibilities as citizens through the lens of ethical philosophy can have a powerful effect upon their character development and the broader school culture.

Authors

• Scott Clifford Seider, Boston University

• Sarah Novick, Boston University

• Jessica Gomez, Math for America