An examination of contemporary elementary school affective education programs

Reviews the rationale underlying, characteristics of, and available research on four popular elementary school affective programs—the “Human Development Program,” “Developing Understanding of Self and Others,” “Toward Affective Development,” and “Dimensions of Personality.” It is concluded that despite problems such as broadly stated objectives, limited field testing, and poorly conducted and contradictory outcome research, several of the programs do appear to have some merit if used consistently for several months of the school year.