Civility in SchoolsCivility in SchoolsCivility in SchoolsCivility in SchoolsAn Emerging Paradigm for Behavioral

SProblems and School Violence

Keely Swanson, Paul Caldarella, Ph. D., Keely Swanson, Paul Caldarella, Ph. D., Ri h d Y Ph DRi h d Y Ph DRichard Young, Ph. D.Richard Young, Ph. D.

Objectives

•• What is civility?What is civility?•• Why is civility important?Why is civility important?•• Why is civility important?Why is civility important?•• Why should schools teach civility?Why should schools teach civility?•• How could schools teach civility?How could schools teach civility?

What is Civility?What is Civility?

Civility DefinedCivility Defined

•• ModernModern: courtesy, politeness, : courtesy, politeness, odeode cou tesy, po te ess,cou tesy, po te ess,consideration, decorum consideration, decorum

(Hi kl 2000 P k 2002 F i 2002)(Hi kl 2000 P k 2002 F i 2002)(Hinckley, 2000; Peck, 2002, Ferriss, 2002)(Hinckley, 2000; Peck, 2002, Ferriss, 2002)

•• HistoricalHistorical: ability to work as a citizen, a : ability to work as a citizen, a f b hi i itf b hi i itsense of membership in a community sense of membership in a community

with its attendant rights and with its attendant rights and responsibilitiesresponsibilitiesresponsibilities responsibilities (Shulman & Carey, 1984; Boyd, 2006)(Shulman & Carey, 1984; Boyd, 2006)

Civility Definedff•• ProximateProximate: politeness or absence of : politeness or absence of

rudeness within interactions with othersrudeness within interactions with others•• DiffuseDiffuse: regard for the effects of our : regard for the effects of our

actions on others and the spaces we actions on others and the spaces we share with them share with them (Fyfe, Bannister, & Kearns, 2006)(Fyfe, Bannister, & Kearns, 2006)

Civility Defined

•• Polite behaviors that showPolite behaviors that showrespect toward a person inrespect toward a person inrespect toward a person in respect toward a person in order to maintain social order to maintain social harmony and recognizeharmony and recognizeharmony and recognize harmony and recognize the humanity of the humanity of that personthat person

Elements of Civility

•• Awareness Awareness (Forni, 2002)(Forni, 2002)

•• SelfSelf--control control (Ferriss, 2002; Kuhlenschmidt, 1999)(Ferriss, 2002; Kuhlenschmidt, 1999)

•• Empathy Empathy (Kahn & Lawhorne, 2003; Schaefer, 1995; Berman, 1998)(Kahn & Lawhorne, 2003; Schaefer, 1995; Berman, 1998)

R tR t•• Respect Respect (Hinckley, 2000; Boyd, 2006; Marks, 1996; Youniss & Yates, 1999)(Hinckley, 2000; Boyd, 2006; Marks, 1996; Youniss & Yates, 1999)

Related Fields

•• Moral EducationMoral Educationo a ducat oo a ducat o•• Character EducationCharacter Education•• Civic EducationCivic Education•• Civic EducationCivic Education•• Social Skills TrainingSocial Skills Training

Positive Behavior Support (PBS)

Why is Civility y yImportant?p

Intrinsic Value of Civilityff•• If we agree that all If we agree that all human beings are ofhuman beings are ofworth, then we have an worth, then we have an obligation to behaveobligation to behaveobligation to behaveobligation to behavecivilly toward all civilly toward all (Boyd, 2006; Forni, 2002; Hinckley, 2000; Youniss & Yates, 1999)(Boyd, 2006; Forni, 2002; Hinckley, 2000; Youniss & Yates, 1999)

•• Personal satisfaction Personal satisfaction (Hinckley, 2000)(Hinckley, 2000)

The Modern Call for Civility

•• Anecdotal opinion vs. empirical dataAnecdotal opinion vs. empirical data•• Advertisements and other media modelAdvertisements and other media modelAdvertisements and other media model Advertisements and other media model

uncivil behaviors uncivil behaviors (Leo, 1996)(Leo, 1996)

•• Many young adults have difficultyMany young adults have difficulty•• Many young adults have difficulty Many young adults have difficulty thinking in terms of the whole thinking in terms of the whole communitycommunity (Schaefer 1995)(Schaefer 1995)community community (Schaefer, 1995)(Schaefer, 1995)

School Violence•• 10% of males and 6% of females reported threat or10% of males and 6% of females reported threat or10% of males and 6% of females reported threat or 10% of males and 6% of females reported threat or

injury from weapon on school grounds injury from weapon on school grounds (Mayer, 2008)(Mayer, 2008)

•• National Center for Educational Statistics (2007) National Center for Educational Statistics (2007) reportsreportsreportsreports

--86% of schools reported at least 86% of schools reported at least one theft, violent crime, or otherone theft, violent crime, or othercrime (total 2 2 million crimes)crime (total 2 2 million crimes)crime (total 2.2 million crimes) crime (total 2.2 million crimes) --Students 12Students 12--18yrs:18yrs:

4% reported victimization4% reported victimization3% reported theft3% reported theft3% reported theft3% reported theft1% reported violent victimization 1% reported violent victimization In past 6 monthsIn past 6 months

Why Should Schools Teach

Ci ilit ?Civility?

Prevention of School Violence•• Physical precautions are not enough to Physical precautions are not enough to

create a safe school create a safe school (Mayer, 2008)(Mayer, 2008)

•• Civility as a tool to alleviate negativity in Civility as a tool to alleviate negativity in schools schools (Hatch, 1998)(Hatch, 1998)

•• Civility to reduce Civility to reduce acts of violenceacts of violenceacts of violence acts of violence (Feldman, 2001; O’Mara, 2007; (Feldman, 2001; O’Mara, 2007;

Hatch, 1998; Peck, 2002Hatch, 1998; Peck, 2002, ; ,, ; ,Kahn & Lawhorne, 2003)Kahn & Lawhorne, 2003)

“Acts of violence are often the result of “Acts of violence are often the result of an exchange of acts of rudeness that an exchange of acts of rudeness that

i l t f t l Di t l di l t f t l Di t l dspiral out of control. Disrespect can lead spiral out of control. Disrespect can lead to bloodshed. By keeping the levels of to bloodshed. By keeping the levels of incivility down we keep the levels ofincivility down we keep the levels ofincivility down, we keep the levels of incivility down, we keep the levels of violence down. . . . If we teach violence down. . . . If we teach youngsters of all walks of life how to youngsters of all walks of life how to y gy gmanage conflict with civilitymanage conflict with civility--based based relational skills, we will have a less relational skills, we will have a less

i il i t l i l t ”i il i t l i l t ”uncivil society, a less violent one.” uncivil society, a less violent one.” --P. M. ForniP. M. Forni

(as quoted in O’Mara, 2007)(as quoted in O’Mara, 2007)

Civility in Schoolsff•• Modern education focuses Modern education focuses

largely on academic instructionlargely on academic instruction(Mourad, 2001; Berman, 1998; Peck, 2002)(Mourad, 2001; Berman, 1998; Peck, 2002)

•• Teaching civility inTeaching civility inTeaching civility in Teaching civility in schools can encourage a schools can encourage a more civil societymore civil societymore civil society more civil society (Hatch, 1998)(Hatch, 1998)

Public Education Historically

•• Aimed to prepare students to nurture Aimed to prepare students to nurture civil society by teaching them to be civil society by teaching them to be good citizens good citizens (Peck, 2002)(Peck, 2002)

•• Civility and manners were valued Civility and manners were valued yyequally with academic material equally with academic material (Berman, 1998)(Berman, 1998)

McGuffey ReadersU d f 1830’ t 1920’U d f 1830’ t 1920’•• Used from 1830’s to 1920’sUsed from 1830’s to 1920’s

•• Helped students learn to read while Helped students learn to read while i th t lt d i iliti th t lt d i ilitexposing them to culture and civilityexposing them to culture and civility

•• Emphasized character, moral Emphasized character, moral integrity, and individual responsibilityintegrity, and individual responsibility

•• Along with the Bible, they were the soleAlong with the Bible, they were the soleAlong with the Bible, they were the sole Along with the Bible, they were the sole source of enlightenment in many homessource of enlightenment in many homes

(See Peck 2002; Field 1997)(See Peck 2002; Field 1997)(See Peck, 2002; Field, 1997)(See Peck, 2002; Field, 1997)

Civility in SchoolsA d t i t t f h t hA d t i t t f h t h•• A need to reintegrate some of what has A need to reintegrate some of what has been removed from public educationbeen removed from public educationC bi ti f tC bi ti f t•• Combination of current Combination of current curriculum with curriculum with early ideals of early ideals of civilitycivilitycivilitycivility

Twofold Purpose of Teaching Civility

•• Buffer against school violenceBuffer against school violence•• Serve to develop future citizensServe to develop future citizens•• Serve to develop future citizensServe to develop future citizens

How Could Schools Teach

Ci ili ?Civility?

Suggestions for Improving Civility•• Explain the rationale of civilityExplain the rationale of civility•• Explain the rationale of civilityExplain the rationale of civility•• Make expectations clear Make expectations clear (Burns, 2003)(Burns, 2003)

•• Increase adult civility Increase adult civility (Ludick, 2001)(Ludick, 2001)

•• Help students be more aware Help students be more aware of their community’s needs of their community’s needs (Boyd 2006; Berman 1998)(Boyd 2006; Berman 1998)(Boyd, 2006; Berman, 1998)(Boyd, 2006; Berman, 1998)

•• Teach empathy & perspective Teach empathy & perspective takingtakingtaking taking ((Berman, 1998; Kahn & Lawhorne, 2003)Berman, 1998; Kahn & Lawhorne, 2003)

Suggested Civility Interventions

•• Training in problemTraining in problem--solving, social skills,solving, social skills,Training in problemTraining in problem solving, social skills, solving, social skills, anger management, selfanger management, self--esteem esteem (Stover, 1999)(Stover, 1999)

•• Integrate themes of civility into academicIntegrate themes of civility into academicIntegrate themes of civility into academic Integrate themes of civility into academic curriculum curriculum (Nilsen, 2008)(Nilsen, 2008)

•• Make students aware of actual beliefs of their Make students aware of actual beliefs of their peerspeerspeers peers (Stiles & Tyson, 2008)(Stiles & Tyson, 2008)

•• Build rapport between students and faculty Build rapport between students and faculty (Stover, 1999)(Stover, 1999)

E t d t t t k t d i tE t d t t t k t d i t•• Empower students to take a stand against Empower students to take a stand against harassment and hurtful speech harassment and hurtful speech (Wessler, 2008)(Wessler, 2008)

Civility and Adolescents

•• Secondary students are willing to learnSecondary students are willing to learn•• Secondary students are willing to learn Secondary students are willing to learn skills for resolving differences skills for resolving differences (Hatch, 1998)(Hatch, 1998)

Creating social ties and buildingCreating social ties and building•• Creating social ties and building Creating social ties and building community are main developmental community are main developmental needs needs (Schaefer, 1995)(Schaefer, 1995)

•• Identity formation Identity formation (Youniss & Yates, 1999)(Youniss & Yates, 1999)yy•• On the verge of full formal citizenship On the verge of full formal citizenship

and cognitive ability to reason moreand cognitive ability to reason moreand cognitive ability to reason more and cognitive ability to reason more effectively effectively (Althof & Berkowitz, 2006)(Althof & Berkowitz, 2006)

Caveats for Civility

F i i ilitF i i ilit•• Forcing civilityForcing civility•• Discriminatory civilityDiscriminatory civility•• Limitations of civilityLimitations of civility

Need for Research•• All intervention ideas are supportedAll intervention ideas are supported•• All intervention ideas are supported All intervention ideas are supported

anecdotally, but empirical data is very anecdotally, but empirical data is very limitedlimitedlimited limited

Our Current Research

•• Civility survey createdCivility survey created•• Pilot tested with 10 school professionalsPilot tested with 10 school professionals•• Pilot tested with 10 school professionalsPilot tested with 10 school professionals•• Distributed via email to 2,000 college of Distributed via email to 2,000 college of

education alumnieducation alumnieducation alumnieducation alumni•• Currently in the process of collecting Currently in the process of collecting

d td tdatadata

Sample Survey Questions

•• Held the door open for me at schoolHeld the door open for me at school•• Responded inappropriately when they did not Responded inappropriately when they did not

get what they wantedget what they wanted•• Sincerely complimented othersSincerely complimented others•• Called others offensive namesCalled others offensive names•• Left public areas in the school neat and cleanLeft public areas in the school neat and clean•• Inappropriately used a cell phone or other Inappropriately used a cell phone or other

electronic devise in classelectronic devise in class

R fReferencesAlthof, W. & Berkowitz M. W. (2006). Moral education and character education: Their relationship and roles in citizenship eduAlthof, W. & Berkowitz M. W. (2006). Moral education and character education: Their relationship and roles in citizenship educatcation. ion.

Journal of Moral Education 35(4)Journal of Moral Education 35(4) 495495--518518Journal of Moral Education, 35(4),Journal of Moral Education, 35(4), 495495 518.518.Berman, S. H. (1998). The bridge to civility: Empathy, ethics, and service. Berman, S. H. (1998). The bridge to civility: Empathy, ethics, and service. School Administrator, 55(5School Administrator, 55(5), 27), 27--32.32.Boyd, R. (2006). The value of civility? Boyd, R. (2006). The value of civility? Urban Studies, 43Urban Studies, 43, 863, 863--878.878.Burns, M. T. (2003). The battle for civilized behavior: Let’s begin with manners. Burns, M. T. (2003). The battle for civilized behavior: Let’s begin with manners. Phi Delta Kappan, 84Phi Delta Kappan, 84, 546, 546--549.549.Feldmann L. J.(2001). Classroom civility is another of our instructor responsibilities.Feldmann L. J.(2001). Classroom civility is another of our instructor responsibilities. College Teaching, 49(4),College Teaching, 49(4), 137137--140.140.Feldmann L. J.(2001). Classroom civility is another of our instructor responsibilities. Feldmann L. J.(2001). Classroom civility is another of our instructor responsibilities. College Teaching, 49(4),College Teaching, 49(4), 137137 140.140.Ferriss, A. L. (2002). Studying and measuring civility: A framework, trends, and scale. Ferriss, A. L. (2002). Studying and measuring civility: A framework, trends, and scale. Sociological Inquiry, 72(3Sociological Inquiry, 72(3), 376), 376--392.392.Field, S. L. (1997). Citizens for a ‘new world order’: A Historical Perspective of Citizenship Education in the United StatesField, S. L. (1997). Citizens for a ‘new world order’: A Historical Perspective of Citizenship Education in the United States. I. In K. n K.

Kennedy (Ed.), Kennedy (Ed.), Citizenship education and the modern stateCitizenship education and the modern state (pp137(pp137--147). London: The Falmer Press.147). London: The Falmer Press.Forni, P. M. (2002). Forni, P. M. (2002). Choosing Civility: The TwentyChoosing Civility: The Twenty--five Rules of Considerate Conductfive Rules of Considerate Conduct. New York: St. Martin’s Press.. New York: St. Martin’s Press.Fyfe N., Banister J., & Kearns A. (2006). (In)civility and the city. Fyfe N., Banister J., & Kearns A. (2006). (In)civility and the city. Urban Studies, 43Urban Studies, 43, 853, 853--861.861.Hatch D. R. (1998). Resolving differences: An education in civility (Master’s Thesis, University of Texas at El Paso, 1998).Hatch D. R. (1998). Resolving differences: An education in civility (Master’s Thesis, University of Texas at El Paso, 1998).Hinckley, G. B. (2000). Hinckley, G. B. (2000). Standing for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues that Will Heal Our Hearts and HomesStanding for Something: 10 Neglected Virtues that Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes. New York: Times Books, . New York: Times Books,

Random House.Random House.Hoge J D (2002) Character education citizenship education and the social studiesHoge J D (2002) Character education citizenship education and the social studies Social Studies 93(3)Social Studies 93(3) 103103--108108Hoge, J. D. (2002). Character education, citizenship education, and the social studies. Hoge, J. D. (2002). Character education, citizenship education, and the social studies. Social Studies, 93(3),Social Studies, 93(3), 103103 108.108.Kahn W. J. & Lawhorne, C. V. (2003). Kahn W. J. & Lawhorne, C. V. (2003). Empathy: The critical factor in conflict resolution and a culture of civilityEmpathy: The critical factor in conflict resolution and a culture of civility (report). West Chester (report). West Chester

PA: University of West Chester. Retrieved August 2007, from EBSCOhost database. (ERIC Document reproduction Service No. PA: University of West Chester. Retrieved August 2007, from EBSCOhost database. (ERIC Document reproduction Service No. ED479344).ED479344).

Kuhlenschmidt, S. L. (1999). Promoting internal civility: Understanding our beliefs about teaching and students. Kuhlenschmidt, S. L. (1999). Promoting internal civility: Understanding our beliefs about teaching and students. New Directions for New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 77Teaching and Learning, 77, 13, 13--22.22.

Leo, J. (1996, April 22). Foul words, foul culture. Leo, J. (1996, April 22). Foul words, foul culture. US News and World ReportUS News and World Report, 73., 73.Ludick, P. (2001). The culture of civility: The social cohesion of the social community. Ludick, P. (2001). The culture of civility: The social cohesion of the social community. NAMTA Journal, 26(3),NAMTA Journal, 26(3), 3333--53.53.

R fReferencesMarks, J. (1996, April 22). The American uncivil wars: How crude, rude, and obnoxious behavior has replaced good Marks, J. (1996, April 22). The American uncivil wars: How crude, rude, and obnoxious behavior has replaced good

manners and why that hurts politics and culture. manners and why that hurts politics and culture. US News and World ReportUS News and World Report, 66, 66--72.72.Mayer, M. J. (2008). Fact sheet #1: Overview of School Violence Prevention. Retrieved April 7, 2008 from Mayer, M. J. (2008). Fact sheet #1: Overview of School Violence Prevention. Retrieved April 7, 2008 from

http://www.ncsvprp.orghttp://www.ncsvprp.org..Mourad, Roger, Jr., (2001). Education after Foucault: The question of civility. Mourad, Roger, Jr., (2001). Education after Foucault: The question of civility. Teachers College Record, 103Teachers College Record, 103, 739, 739--759.759.National Center for Educational Statistics. (2007). Indicators of school crime and safety: 2007. Retrieved April 11, 2008 National Center for Educational Statistics. (2007). Indicators of school crime and safety: 2007. Retrieved April 11, 2008

from from http://nces.ed.gov/programs/crimeindicators/crimeindicators2007/http://nces.ed.gov/programs/crimeindicators/crimeindicators2007/Nilsen, A. P. (2008). Civility: The right thing to teach in contentious times. Nilsen, A. P. (2008). Civility: The right thing to teach in contentious times. English Journal (High school edition), 97(6),English Journal (High school edition), 97(6), 6565--

69.69.O’Mara, R. (2007). Civility engineer. O’Mara, R. (2007). Civility engineer. The Christian Scientist Monitor, 100(12),The Christian Scientist Monitor, 100(12), 20.20.Peck D. L. (2002). Civility: A contemporary context for a meaningful historical concept. Peck D. L. (2002). Civility: A contemporary context for a meaningful historical concept. Sociological Inquiry, 72Sociological Inquiry, 72, 358, 358--375.375.S h f L (1995) R i ti i ilitS h f L (1995) R i ti i ilit NAMTA J l 20NAMTA J l 20 138138 147147Schaefer, L. (1995). Reinventing civility. Schaefer, L. (1995). Reinventing civility. NAMTA Journal, 20NAMTA Journal, 20, 138, 138--147.147.Sherman, N. (2005). Of manners and morals. Sherman, N. (2005). Of manners and morals. British Journal of Educational Studies, 53(3),British Journal of Educational Studies, 53(3), 272272--289.289.Shulman, L. S. & Carey, N. B. (1984). Psychology and the limitations of individual rationality: Implications for the study ofShulman, L. S. & Carey, N. B. (1984). Psychology and the limitations of individual rationality: Implications for the study of

reasoning and civility. reasoning and civility. Review of Educational Research, 54Review of Educational Research, 54, 501, 501--524.524.Stiles, M. & Tyson, B. (2008). Marketing civility. Stiles, M. & Tyson, B. (2008). Marketing civility. American School Board Journal, 195(3),American School Board Journal, 195(3), 3636--37.37.y ( ) g yy ( ) g y ( )( )Stover, D. (1999). Raising students’ civil behavior. Stover, D. (1999). Raising students’ civil behavior. The Education Digest, 64(5),The Education Digest, 64(5), 1111--13.13.Walker, H. M., Ramsey, E., & Gresham F. M. (2004). Walker, H. M., Ramsey, E., & Gresham F. M. (2004). Antisocial behavior in school: EvidenceAntisocial behavior in school: Evidence--based practicesbased practices (2(2ndnd Ed.) Ed.)

Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.Wessler, S. (2008). Civility speaks up. Wessler, S. (2008). Civility speaks up. Educational Leadership, 66(1),Educational Leadership, 66(1), 4444--48.48.Y i J & Y t M (1999) Y th i d lY i J & Y t M (1999) Y th i d l i i id tit A f d liti i id tit A f d lit Ed ti lEd ti lYouniss, J. & Yates, M. (1999). Youth service and moralYouniss, J. & Yates, M. (1999). Youth service and moral--civic identity: A case for everyday morality. civic identity: A case for everyday morality. Educational Educational

Psychology Review, 11(4),Psychology Review, 11(4), 361361--376.376.

http://education.byu.edu/pbsi/

For More Information, please contact:K l S k l @ ilKeely Swanson, keelyswanson@gmail.comPaul Caldarella, paul_caldarella@byu.eduRi h d Y i h d @b dRichard Young, richard_young@byu.edu

BYU PBSBYU PBS--InitiativeInitiative236 South 700 East236 South 700 East

Provo UT 84606Provo UT 84606Provo, UT 84606Provo, UT 84606801801--377377--05600560