A literature-based approach to teaching values to adolescents: does it work?

Articles advocating the use of literature to accomplish a variety of goals is common in journals of educational psychology and social work. However, studies validating such an approach are scarce. This study attempts to assess the effectiveness of one reading project to teach one specific value. Using an experimental design in a 7th grade classroom, the researchers introduced the reading project as the independent variable, and measured the dependent variable, the value of caring for others, with a series of essays. The results of the experiment indicate moderate support for the use of literature-based approach to teaching values. Changes from pretest to posttest in two of the three essays were in the hypothesized direction, However, the authors advise practitioners that the use of one discrete project cannot produce large-scale or long-term change.