Authoritative Style

Research suggests that the way you interact with your students may be more important in promoting morality than a moral education program. Specifically, an “authoritative teaching style.” (The same is true of parenting style). Authoritative teachers are democratic and allow verbal give-and-take with students, including discussing moral issues. They are demanding and set high standards for moral behavior, but are also warm and caring. They

1. Use inductive discipline. Be careful about what you discipline students for. Inductive discipline results in internalization, or students who obey even when no one is looking. It is during discipline that students learn adults’ core values. Students can infer that the issues you are most demanding about, like cheating, are core values and non-negotiable. The issues that you are flexible about are not core values and choices are acceptable, like whether to raise your hand before answering, or staying in line in the hallway. Teachers tend to present students with choices about personal issues but state rules and give commands about moral issues.
2. Care for students.  Cheating tends to be lower in classes with positive teacher–student relationships and where the atmosphere of the class is cordial and cooperative. Noddings (1992) asserts that the first job of schools is not to enhance academic ability, but to care for students because morality comes from the memory of being cared for. As the classroom becomes more prosocial, student should feel cared for by you and by classmates.

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