The Josephson Institute is a Los Angeles-based think tank, the mission of which is "to improve the ethical quality of society." The Institute's 2008 Report Card on the values and conduct of young people is out, and if you thought our biggest education problem was declining math and science test scores, think again.
The Institute surveyed some 30,000 high school students across the country. Some results:
- 30% of the kids surveyed said they had stolen from a store in the past year
- Nearly 65% said they had cheated on a test in the past year
- A quarter of the respondents even 'fessed up that they lied on a couple of questions on the survey
The survey documents many other ways kids lie and cheat their way to the top of the class. But here's the kicker: 93% said they were satisfied with their personal ethics and character!
Hey, educators, principals, school board members: you might want to rethink that moral relativism thing.
Just thought you might like to know.
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1 comment:
I think kids are under tremendous pressure these days, what with all the after school programs they go to and the vacations they take, the shopping trips, etc. My kid had a very important late night football practice he had to go to in order to prepare for "the big game". So he had a test the next day - what's he supposed to do - miss the practice and cost his team the big 8th grade CYO football championship? All for a stupid science test? I think not, my friend. A little cheating never hurt anyone if it helps the team. In fact, most adults do it every day and it's just the way the world works. You've got to cheat to get ahead, so we might as well teach them early.
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