THE SUCCESS OF CHARACTER EDUCATION IN RELATION TO RELIGION IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT by Joseph Franklin Johnson Liberty University A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Liberty University 2014 2 THE SUCCESS OF CHARACTER EDUCATION IN RELATION TO RELIGION IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT Joseph Franklin Johnson A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA 2014 APPROVED BY: CLARENCE HOLLAND, EdD, Committee Chair ROGER SCHULTZ, PhD, Committee Member R.J. GORE, DMin, PhD, Committee Member SCOTT WATSON, PhD, Associate Dean of Advanced Programs 3 ABSTRACT Joseph Franklin Johnson. THE SUCCESS OF CHARACTER EDUCATION IN RELATION TO RELIGION IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT. (Under the direction of Clarence Holland, EdD, Professor, School of Education, ret.). November 2014. The history of the United States demonstrates a complicated relationship between civil or national religion and the formation of the common schools. This dissertation uses purposive sampling, survey methodology and description research of a local, public school district with noted high scores on character education. The research uses a Likert scale to document educators’ perception of success or failure of character education in relation to religion. In the school district, four schools were chosen for their high scores in character education implementation. A purposive sample of 100 participants was provided an email link to a secure, anonymous, online survey. The ten-question survey included a comment section enabling the participant to elaborate on each question. The minimal twenty responses returned from participants indicated an overall perception of the success of character education pedagogy to be minimal. While most participants affirmed the source of ethics to be biological evolution, they strongly believed character should be taught. However, there was no consensus on character education curriculum, pedagogy or methodology. The majority of participants indicated character education would be better served in conjunction with an emphasis upon comparative religion as a means of teaching character. Keywords: character, ethics, natural law, morality, evolution, religion, colonialism [N.B.: For the purposes of this dissertation, schools and faculty have been changed to protect anonymity]. 4 Dedication This project would not be possible were it not for the support and affection of my best friend Toby M. H. Johnson. She has been with me every step of this process and encouraging me to move forward. She is a wonderful wife, mother and an excellent teacher. Her prayers and encouragement through this project have been invaluable and have been a source of strength through many challenges. 5 Acknowledgments I want to acknowledge my parents, Benjamin and Doris Johnson whose love, support and nurture afforded me the desire to pursue my dreams under God’s Providence. “A man's mind plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps” (Prov. 16.9, RSV). Equally, I want to thank my wife’s parents, the Revs. Richard and Martha Hall for their support and encouragement in my studies. This has been a long journey in many respects and I am grateful for my educational mentor, Dr. Clarence Holland for his insights, patience and friendship since I began this process in 2005. Dr. James Fyock has been a close friend in my earlier teaching career and in this journey. While he won the doctoral race before me, he stood by me and encouraged me to the end (and thankfully reviewed my APA formatting). Equally, I would like to thank my theological mentor Dr. R. J. Gore, my friend of 18 years, who has given ample advice, wisdom and direction over most of my adult life since we met during my graduate studies in seminary. Special thanks to Dr. Roger Schultz, who agreed to be on my committee, despite the fact that we had never met. His advice and insight have been proven invaluable. 6 Table of Contents ABSTRACT .....................................................................................................................................3 Dedication ............................................................................................................................4 Acknowledgments................................................................................................................5 Table of Contents .................................................................................................................6 List of Tables .......................................................................................................................8 List of Figures ......................................................................................................................9 List of Abbreviations .........................................................................................................10 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................11 Problem Statement .............................................................................................................14 Purpose Statement ..............................................................................................................14 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................14 Research Questions ............................................................................................................14 Definitions..........................................................................................................................15 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .................................................................16 Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................................16 Related Literature...............................................................................................................44 Summary ............................................................................................................................62 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................63 Design ................................................................................................................................63 Research Questions ............................................................................................................64 Participants .........................................................................................................................64 Setting ................................................................................................................................65 7 Procedures ..........................................................................................................................68 Data Collection ..................................................................................................................68 Data Analysis .....................................................................................................................72 CHAPTER FOUR: FINDINGS .....................................................................................................73 Overview ............................................................................................................................73 First Research Question .....................................................................................................73 Second Research Question .................................................................................................76 Third Research Question....................................................................................................77 Fourth Research Question ..................................................................................................82 CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................85 Overview ............................................................................................................................85 Discussion ..........................................................................................................................86 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................92 Implications........................................................................................................................95 Limitations .........................................................................................................................96 Recommendations for Future Research .............................................................................97 REFERENCES ..............................................................................................................................99 APPENDIX A: Questionnaire .....................................................................................................106 APPENDIX B: Recruitment Letter ..............................................................................................107 APPENDIX C: Informed Consent For Survey Participants ........................................................108 APPENDIX D: Letter To District Superintendent .......................................................................111