Developing Ethical Behavior for Public Organizations: Cooperative Learning at the Public School Level

Abstract

An approach to developing ethical behavior in public organizations can be achieved by implementing a cooperative learning structure in the American public school educational system. Cooperative learning towards ethical development seeks to build a contractual relationship between students in public schools that could help shape ethical behavior of students before they enter adult public organizations. Public school organizations should develop a consensus oriented decision-making process among educators and students that acknowledges the needs of all students. The agreed upon principles will be staples in identifying abusive and deviant behavior in school and adult public organizations.Eclipsing the hierarchical structure in both public school organizations and adult public organizations with a student/worker- centered environment could optimize ethical behavior.