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Moral literacy is defined as the ability to contend with complex moral problems. It involves the ability to recognize a problem as a moral one. The morally literate individual must acknowledge the multiple perspectives of individuals involved in the problems. The ability to assess both disagreements on and proposed responses to the problems is another skill of the morally literate individual. The development of these abilities involves learning and practicing a set of skills. These skills must be taught and then practiced until they become habits. The skills include sensitivity, listening, reflecting, critical thinking and moral reasoning. A moral literacy resource for educators, therefore, should provide information to assist in developing both an understanding and application of these skills and abilities.

Moral literacy involves a complex set of skills and habits that can be cultivated and enriched through education. Like other forms of literacy, it is best developed in the home and the community as well as in the schools. Still, the best way to ensure that we are part of a moral nation is to commit educational resources to this crucial ability.

to identify specific skills and strategies in the formation of moral literacy, such as a sense of moral purpose, self-knowledge and self-regulation, flexibility, vision and a high tolerance for ambiguity.