Teaching Respect: Effectiveness of the 'Me Others Property (M.O.P.) Civic Education Program'

Abstract

Many factors often undermine the creation of safe and supportive environments for learning, academic, and social development in schools in general. These factors may include the conduct of students as well as that of school staff. The Me Others Property (M.O.P.) civic education program has been implemented for 25 years in local Indiana schools. However, its effectiveness to teach respect has not been evaluated. The program was designed to increase three outcomes, participants’ respect for themselves, others, and property. With the main goal of assessing effectiveness of the program properties, we evaluated the three outcomes and assessed differences according to age, gender, and ethnicity. This study highlights the role civic education programs may play in schools in general. It suggests that through these programs students, regardless of their age, gender, and ethnicity, learn values about helping self, others, and property to aid their country. More evaluation of the evidence based properties of civic education programs is necessary.