I've known quite a few people with big hearts gone bad because they weren't raised with morality, respect, or compassion. It's a personal experience that resonates deeply with me, seeing people make poor decisions simply because they haven't been provided the tools to understand right from wrong. Some people make bad parents, whether due to circumstances or upbringing, and this negative cycle perpetuates when children are not taught to be decent human beings. If the adults in their life don't provide a beneficial example, where will these children learn? What if everyone were taught from the very beginning about right and wrong, how to communicate effectively, respect others, uphold honesty and integrity, and so much more? Wouldn't we then create a better, more ethical society?

In 2021, over 49,000 suicide deaths were reported in the United States, emphasizing the need for emotional intelligence and ethical teaching in early education. Meanwhile, a study from the American Psychological Association found that teens are experiencing high levels of stress that rival those of adults. These statistics underscore the urgency for education systems to adapt and arm students with the necessary life skills to navigate today's complex and often challenging world.

Mandating an ethics course for each  school graduation is a necessary step toward fostering better individuals and, as a result, a better society. Just as math and literature are fundamental for academic development, ethics is essential for personal development. Teaching ethics—including empathy, respect for others, the importance of honesty, conflict resolution, and understanding the implications of one’s actions—provides students with a robust framework that they can use in every aspect of their lives.

Other countries have introduced ethics as part of their curriculum with positive results. For instance, Denmark’s inclusion of ethics in its education system has played a part in the country consistently ranking as one of the happiest places to live, according to the UN World Happiness Report. This could certainly be a model for our education system as well.

We call upon the U.S. Department of Education to integrate ethics into the standard curriculum for all three levels of education. I'd suggest grades 5, 8 and 12. A graduation requirement for each level. By doing so, we would empower students to become thoughtful, responsible citizens who contribute positively to society.

Please sign this petition to urge the U.S. Department of Education to make ethics a mandatory part of the every school curriculum. It’s time for us to prioritize what's truly important: raising compassionate, informed, and ethically guided individuals who can shape a better future.

We begin to learn as soon as we're born. Our first few years being what our guardian teaches. Everyone doesn't receive the lessons they need to succeed. This is how we make a better world for EVERYONE.