A Bidimensional Psycho-pedagogical Model for Tolerance Education

This paper presents a bidimensional psychopedagogical approach to tolerance education that represents the conceptualization of a theoretical model for future research. The paper also briefly reviews theories on attitude formation and attitude change, and explains how competence may be achieved in terms of knowledge, abilities and attitudes. The model has been designed with the purpose of raising the level of teacher tolerance towards Roma children in class, as well as empower teachers to diminish the risk of discrimination among children in class and school. The two dimensions of the model are related to the lines of action proposed by the model: one line of intervention is concerned with teaching tolerance to students / prospective teachers and the other line focuses on providing teachers with tools to raise children’s level of tolerance in class and diminish the risk of discrimination among young students to a significant level. The model may be used as a tool for further experimental research as it connects the more theoretical principles, objectives and purpose of education for tolerance with the more practical constituents and finalities of an educational intervention program aimed to enhance a tolerant attitude at both teachers and students; the model highlights not only knowledge and skills, but also attitudes and values as goals of education, and ways to achieve them in the teaching-learning process, the approach to the training process mirroring the internal structure of competence. The model systematizes the cognitive, instrumental-methodological and expressive (relational-behavioural) dimensions of training on which it relies, providing a universal framework for any intervention program aimed at changing attitudes