A Value-Able Education: Three Lakes Studying Ways To Teach Ethics

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By Bill Hurley

Senior Editor

When a Three Lakes student recently ripped some loose caulk off a hallway wall, teacher Ken Koxlien saw an opportunity to incorporate some ethical issues into his classroom discussion.

Koxlien first asked if anyone knew who did it. Nobody spoke up. Then he engaged the class in a discussion of what is right and wrong.

• If you did it, should you admit to it? Would that make you feel better about yourself? Would your classmates have more respect for you as a result?
• If you know who did it, should you tell a teacher? Would that make you a more honest person, or just a squealer?

With Koxlien leading the discussion, the students identified character values that were involved in the situation — honesty, respect, and conscience. Koxlien then had each write a paper on how he or she felt about the issues involved.

“I still didn’t find out who did the damage,” Koxlien said, “but, hopefully, it got them to think about these things.”

What happened in Koxlien’s class is repeated daily in classrooms throughout the state. But some teachers think ethics issues are not addressed frequently enough. Students who are consistently taught ethics are better people and better students, they believe.

That is why some districts, including Three Lakes (south of Eagle River), are studying ways to more systematically bring these topics into the school curriculum.

Koxlien’s discussion took place in his technology education class. But perhaps next year, similar discussions will be reserved for periods set aside specifically for such matters.

That’s because Three Lakes teachers and administrators are examining options for focusing more specifically on “character value” and “good citizenship.”

Their efforts are being supported by a grant from the Learning Foundation of Wisconsin. The grant was awarded based on a proposal developed by Three Lakes teacher Janet Elko.

“We know it’s important,” said 7-12 Principal Richard Parks. “We know what we want to do with children. The question is how are we going to do it.”

Koxlien and math/computer science teacher Jim Wieberg have done considerable research, visited other school districts that are grappling with this issue, and attended a training session in Platteville. They have been meeting with a committee of faculty and administrators to map out a plan.

One idea is to restructure the school schedule to open up an extra period, perhaps once a week. That period could accommodate an adviser-advisee program through which teachers and students could spend more time getting to know each other. Part of that process could involve examination of character and ethics issues.

For example, Parks said, a specific topic could become the school’s focus of the week or month. That topic — honesty, for example — would be thoroughly discussed during this homeroom-style period and incorporated more subtly into other classes. As part of the adviser-advisee program, students could conduct projects related to the topic or go on field trips that reflect on it. Other activities could include guest speakers, assemblies, and professional development opportunities for faculty.

The ultimate goal is to instill in the students a greater awareness of respect for character values. That will result not only in the development of better citizens but also better students and a more productive learning environment.

“The outcomes of this heightened awareness and appreciation are anticipated to be visible in the choices students make to promote the well-being of their families, friendships, school and community,” Elko wrote in her grant application. “A long-term effect of this project would be the recognition by local employers that Three Lakes High School students are conscientious, friendly, considerate and interested in their community.”

While some staff members are excited about the prospects, others are skeptical. For that reason, the program is being thoroughly discussed and gradually implemented.

Parks, Wieberg and Koxlien are working with other staff members to develop a plan, which will be presented to the entire faculty for input this winter. If agreement can be reached, the program may be implemented next fall, they said.

“We have an excellent school,” Parks said. “We have a faculty that can meet any challenge that’s presented to it. There is no doubt in my mind that if we take this to heart, we as a school will find a way to do it.”

Posted November 20, 1996