Dear Colleague,

Consider the state of the world our young people experience every day. It is a world sorely in need of ethical formation, and commitment. We who sign below share a common sense of urgency because things do not seem to be getting better.

Who, if not schools, will lead the way? Our schools can create cultures where respect, empathy, and integrity infuse our way of life and guide our choices. Our schools must be communities where ethical excellence complements academic excellence.

Historically, independent schools have prided themselves on this mission. Indeed, it is our inescapable obligation to pursue it with new intentionality.

The Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education, the National Association of Independent Schools, the Center for the 4th and 5th Rs, the Institute for Excellence & Ethics, the Institute for Global Ethics, and psychologist/author Wendy Mogel ask you to answer our collaborative call, Schools of the Future: Ethical Excellence.

We commit to supporting your participation as outlined on the reverse of this letter. Why now? Our children, and our world, need our help. Our concerted efforts can make a difference.

 

David Streight
Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education

Patrick F. Bassett
National Association of Independent Schools

Thomas Lickona
Center for the 4th & 5th Rs

Matthew Davidson
Institute for Excellence & Ethics

Rushworth M. Kidder
Institute for Global Ethics

Wendy Mogel
Psychologist and author
 

About the signatories to this letter:

Patrick F. Bassett is President of the National Association of Independent Schools and a key figure in the development of the Schools of the Future initiative at NAIS, and of a number of other programs shaping the present and future development of independent schools in North America and around the world. http://www.nais.org

Matthew Davidson, Ph.D., is President of the Institute for Excellence & Ethics, and past director of research at the Center for the 4th & 5th Rs. He is co-author (with Tom Lickona) of Smart and Good High Schools, among other works in the field of ethical education. http://www.excellenceandethics.com

Rushworth Kidder, Ph.D., is President and Founder of the Institute for Global Ethics, and author of Moral Courage and How Good People Make Tough Choices, as well as other works that have had wide influence in the worlds of both education and business. http://www.globalethics.org

Thomas Lickona, Ph.D., is Director of the Center for the 4th and 5th Rs (Respect & Responsibility), and author of Character Matters, Educating for Character, and Smart and Good High Schools, as well as a number of other works in the field of character development. http://www.cortland.edu/character

Wendy Mogel, Ph.D., is an internationally known clinical psychologist and longtime friend of independent schools and their parents, especially through her best selling book The Blessing of a Skinned Knee and, more recently, The Blessings of a B-Minus. http://www.wendymogel.com

David Streight is Executive Director of the Center for Spiritual and Ethical Education. He is co-author, contributor, or editor of a number of books, including Developing Ethical Student Leaders and Good Things to Do: Expert Suggestions for Fostering Goodness in Kids. http://www.csee.org

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