The Supreme Court decision in 1960 removed the traditionally religious basis for morality from public education. The court agreed with Madalyn Murray O'Hare and removed Bible reading and prayer from the public school system.
Values clarification teaches that moral values are relative and personal and the individual decides between right or wrong. According to Laura Wiley Phd., "Character Education, different from Values Clarification, holds to the premise that civilization has a common core of shared values, referred to as universal values."
Theodore Roosevelt stated, "To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society." The effects of moral education helps students become good as well as smart. In their professional and personal lives they learn to make morally sound decisions.
Society benefits from students learning moral behavior. According to Gene Bedley of the National Character Education Center, "increases person responsibility, promotes respect for differences, and strengthens conscience and awareness of the right thing to do.
Since state run public schools cannot endorse any particular religion, they must not be hostile to it. So because of this parents and schools must work as allies in promoting common values that will prepare their children for a lifetime of success.