The importance of affective curriculum in educating children to live responsible, creative and fulfilling lives

Abstract

In today’s fast paced world we are bombarded with media stories on how families, school systems and communities are failing children. A sufficient, preventative, systemic affective education is an essential element in a child’s development. For the first time in history, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections will spend more state subsidy money on prisons than universities in the year 2000. (Jandecek, 1999) The number of multiple victim homicides at schools increased from one in 1994-95 to five in 1997-98. (Malico, 1999) This study will concentrate on the importance of affective curriculum provided to all students on a daily basis by school districts in a systematic manner. The purpose of this study is to determine the percentage of Wisconsin school districts that have a systemic affective education curriculum in place. This study will also identify the negative consequences of an insufficient preventative and systemic affective curriculum that are apparent through America’s struggle with school violence and behavioral problems.