The Ethics Curriculum Project (ECP) began in 2005 as an effort to produce high-quality online resources to enable educators to introduce ethics and critical thinking across the curriculum. The overarching goal is to produce tools for teachers that will help them stimulate students without adding to teacher’s already over-burdened workload. That is, ECP helps teachers do better what most are already committed to doing well.
The ECP web site provides modules on a broad ensemble of issues and topics under the headings Language Arts, Science and Math, Social Science, Arts and Humanities and Special Topics. These modules include content introductions, lesson plans, student activities and knowledge assessment tools.
Each module was designed with the needs and goals of frontline teachers in mind. Each is correlated with local, state and national standards and benchmarks. Moreover, the project includes special teacher training activities, including workshops and hands-on guidance from content experts. A Teachers Advisory Board helps oversee module creation and evaluation.
The ECP team includes first authors, that is, university faculty with special expertise and/or interest in the individual topics. A team of curriculum experts, editors, reviewers and evaluators has assessed each module and is providing continuing review. These experts include faculty at Barry University, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Miami Dade College, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, St. Thomas University and the University of Miami.
The Ethics Curriculum Project is and/or has been supported by the U.S. Department of Education, through a grant to Miami-Dade County Public Schools; The Children’s Trust of Miami-Dade County; The Bachelor Foundation, The North Dade Medical Foundation; and the University of Miami Ethics Programs. Special guidance and financial support have been provided by South Florida Rotary and Kiwanis clubs and members.
This Website is under development. We are creating partnerships to help support and evaluate the modules and their classroom use. While the site is intended to be an open-source utility, we ask that it not be used without prior arrangement. School systems, schools and individual educators interested in using these materials are asked to contact Ken Goodman, Ph.D.
