Panel OKs Legislation to Encourage Ethics Classes

A Senate committee unanimously approved legislation Wednesday to encourage the teaching of ethics and civic values in public schools, despite warnings that it could lead to discussion of such off-limit subjects as politics and religion.

A 10-0 vote sent the measure, sponsored by Sen. Robert Presley (D-Riverside), from the Education Committee to the Appropriations Committee for more screening.

“We open a Pandora’s box with the wording of this bill,” Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles) said, “even if it says it is about motherhood and apple pie.”

Presley insisted, however, that it deals only with principles agreeable to 99% of the population.

Some Doing Job

In answer to critics who say that ethics and civic values should be taught by parents and churches, he said some parents are doing the job and others are not.

“But even if that happens,” Presley said, “even if the parents are doing a good job, and they’re taking the kids to church to hear these things, what’s wrong with them hearing it a third time?”

The bill, supported by state Supt. of Public Instruction Bill Honig, would set up voluntary pilot programs to allow school districts to apply for state grants for instruction and includes an initial $500,000 appropriation.

Honig would consult with teachers, administrators, parents and community groups to develop the program.

Suggested subject matter could include topics such as human dignity and worth, fairness, honesty, courage, freedom, responsibility, the common good, justice and equality of opportunity, according to the bill.

Under terms of the measure, the program would expire in January, 1992, with a progress report to the Legislature due in January, 1989.

“I will vote for your bill,” Sen. Ed Davis (R-Valencia) quipped, “but this is a dangerous precedent. The next thing you know, they’ll want ethics (around) here.”