Character Education and Emerging Adulthood: A Multiple Case Study of the Impact of High School Character Education on Students in the College Environment
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: This study explored how four young adults experienced the lasting effects of high school character education in the college environment.Utilizing a qualitative approach, this multiple case study explored how college students identified high school character education in their own high school, how college students utilized their high school character education, and how college student's context shaped the utilization of character education.This study serves to address the existing gap in the literature by focusing on college student experience and extends the current line of inquiry to focus specifically on student experience, with participants who have progressed beyond the high school environment into college.Data collection consisted of rich descriptions provided by four participants through individual interviews.Data analysis followed the guidelines set forth by Braun and Clarke (2006) and are presented in four case-by-case analyses as well as a cross case analysis describing the general phenomenon across all of the cases.Five themes emerged from the cross-case analysis describing how the four young adults experienced the lasting effects of high school character education in the college environment: 1) explicit curriculum, 2) faculty involvement and connection, 3) independence and autonomy, 4) creating new connections in college, and 5) diversity.The findings from this study can serve to assist school counselors and administrators who are interested in developing and implementing character education programs in the high school environment.iii
Author: Jennifer L Willis
Institution: University of Cincinnati
Language: English
Topic: Values and Moral Education
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2624950536