A review and critique of Cornerstone Values: A Values Education Curriculum,
by John Heenan.
Invercargill: New Zealand Foundation for Values Education, 1996.
There is currently debate in New Zealand about teaching "values" in schools, and re-affirming "values" in public and private life generally. There have been a number of calls for the re-introduction of "values education" in the public schools, not least by the Prime Minister, whose recent
speech
on the subject has created some controversy.
Part of this debate has centred around specific programmes for teaching "values." One such programme, which has received considerable attention and in which many schools have reportedly shown interest, is the "Cornerstone Values Curriculum." [For more information see the
web-site
for this programme. Other relevant internet sites can be found at the "Character Education" section of
Yahoo].
This "Cornerstone Values" curriculum is, however, not without its problems. This article explores some of those problems and demonstrates the fatal flaw in the approach taken to teaching "values."
Feedback on this review would be welcomed. E-mail the author at:
faithact@es.co.nz