Effectiveness

Findings

The WWC review of character education addresses student outcomes in three domains: behavior; knowledge, attitudes, and values; and academic achievement.

Behavior. The Dietsch, Bayha, & Zheng study reported no differences in effects on citizenship grades.

Knowledge, attitudes, and values. In the Dietsch, Bayha, & Zheng study students using Lessons in Character gave more positive responses to some of the items (such as do not pick on other students, show good sportsmanship) in four scales of character-related attitudes and values. The average response across each of these four scales was neither statistically significant (as calculated by the WWC) nor large enough to be substantively important using WWC criteria. ³

The DeVargas study reported neither statistically significant nor substantively important differences between the Lessons in Character group and the comparison groups on a measure of moral development.

Academic achievement. The Dietsch, Bayha, & Zheng study reported statistically significant differences favoring the Lessons in Character group on academic achievement (reading and math) and attendance (absences). Two of these outcomes (math and attendance) were found to be statistically significant (as calculated by the WWC). ³

Rating of effectiveness

The WWC rates interventions as positive, potentially positive, mixed, no discernible effects, potentially negative, or negative. The rating of effectiveness takes into account four factors: the quality of the research design, the statistical significance of the findings (as calculated by the WWC), the size of the difference between participants in the intervention condition and the comparison conditions, and the consistency in findings across studies (see the WWC Intervention Rating Scheme).