Bryce Cullen Publishing Releases Thought-Provoking New Book on Morality in Public Education

Online, April 25, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Who Says It's Wrong?: Closing the Morality Gap in Public Education-former middle and high school principal Suzanne Nicastro's first book-describes the historic decline of character education in public schools, along with its sobering results. With the state of public schools a national concern, Nicastro, a twenty-year veteran of public education, presents a provocative blueprint for addressing the problem. By painting an undeniable relationship between moral standards and academic learning, the book successfully argues that moral standards are necessary partners in the field of public education. By adopting (and assessing) four national standards in every American classroom-honesty, compassion, loyalty, and fortitude-educators will be fully armed to address the most important aspects of child development. Only then, will the elusive "achievement gap" be wiped out and public education saved.

The data is clear: illegal behavior is on the rise. Violence in public schools (including bullying) persists. As students move up four points on achievement scales in reading, they are still cheating on tests, bullying each other, and breaking laws. With increasing numbers, average-to-high achievers are exhibiting disturbing anti-social behaviors. We can no longer assume good grades equate to good people.

Nicastro tackles arguments that adopting a national set of values will result in putting students in a moral straightjacket. Armed with current educational research and real-life classroom stories, universal moral standards are shown to not only influence learning patterns, but also enhance school culture and support democratic ideals...for all children...no matter what their backgrounds.

This book is especially geared toward parents, grandparents, educators, and community members who are looking to improve character development in children. Offering real-life stories that illustrate the need for character reform, Who Says It's Wrong? introduces the idea that teaching and assessing moral standards may result in greater academic learning and better adjusted children. The book argues that academic standards are not enough "soulful education" for today's students.

Suzanne Nicastro has an M.A. in Education and serves as an adjunct professor for Brandman University. She is a National Endowment of Humanities Scholar, freelance writer, and educational consultant. She will be doing a signing at Chaucer's Bookstore in Santa Barbara, CA, on Tuesday, May 24, from 7 to 9 PM. For additional information, visit her website at suzannenicastro.com. Released by Bryce Cullen Publishing on April 26, 2011, Who Says It's Wrong?: Closing the Morality Gap in Public Education is available from all major booksellers.