Facing History and Ourselves Program
Initiative Description: The Facing History and Ourselves program, which trains educators to engage students of diverse backgrounds in an examination of forms of intergroup conflict (racism, prejudice, etc.) in order to foster perspective-taking, critical thinking and moral decision making and to help students develop into humane and responsible citizens, resulted in increases across the school year in relationship maturity and decreases in racist attitudes and self-reported fighting behavior relative to comparison students.
Study Results: Reduced disruptive & aggressive behaviors. The study demonstrated that eighth-grade students in Facing History classrooms showed increases across the school year in relationship maturity and decreases in racist attitudes and self-reported fighting behavior relative to comparison students
Reference: Schultz, L. H., Barr, D. J., & Selman, R. L. (2001). The value of a developmental approach to evaluating character development programs: An outcome study of facing history and ourselves. Journal of Moral Education,30(1). doi:10.1080/03057240120033785
Level of Evidence: Very Good