HUMAN-RIGHTS EDUCATION THROUGH THE FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES PROGRAM

This study examined the effects of the Facing History and Ourselves (F HAO) human rights program on moral development and psychological funct ioning. The FHAO curriculum significantly increased 8th grade students ' moral reasoning (Rest's 1979 Defining Issues Test) without adversely impacting on their psychological well-being (scores on depression, ho pelessness or self-worth inventories). Girls were more empathic and ha d higher levels of social interest; boys had higher global self-worth scores; there were no differences between boys and girls in their mora l reasoning scores and no gender differences in the psychological impa ct of the course. This study adds to the literature which suggests tha t human rights education positively affects students' moral developmen t.