The founders of the United States envisioned education as providing for all citizens the necessary apprenticeship in the understanding and practice of democracy. To make democracy safe there must be universal schooling; to make schooling safe for education there must be democracy. But since the founding of the country, the study and practice of…

During the past dozen years, the author has spent hundreds of hours discussing the relationship between education and democracy in seminars with groups of school- and university-based educators. Serving the public good in a democracy means serving the common weal, that of both the individual and the collective. The citizens of a democracy must…

Democracy's strength and Achilles's heel is freedom. The freedom democracy espouses permits myriad intrusions into schooling's primary mission--educating the young for the stewardship of democracy. Teachers must be caring, moral stewards of our schools--educated to understand democratic fundamentals and become good "crap detectors." (MLH)

The Agenda for Education in a Democracy has focused on the simultaneous renewal of schooling and teacher education for children's well-being. Well-educated individuals easily acquire specific workplace skills when necessary. Educating for the future means educating broadly and deeply and valuing childhood for its own sake. (MLH)

Describes the first 12 years of the Center for Educational Renewal (CER) at the University of Washington which has the mission of linking the missions of schooling and teacher education. Also describes development and activities of the associated National Network for Educational Renewal and Institute for Educational Inquiry for each of three…

Essay on school reform argues that quality teachers are key to successful reform, not reform rhetoric by state governors and U.S. Presidents. Asserts that primary mission of schooling is to provide students an educational apprenticeship in democracy. Qualified, caring, competent teachers are essential to accomplish this mission. (PKP)

Discusses the issue of purpose in teacher education, explaining that teaching, unlike most other professions, has varied perceptions and assumptions regarding its purpose and nature. A 1980s study found that most preservice teachers had not discussed the purpose of schooling within a democracy during any of their classes. Examines the importance…

This book about the relation of education to society has as its thesis that the proper context for education is a politically and socially democratic one. The first chapter considers what education is and is followed by chapters discussing the relationship of education to democracy, community, schooling, its conditions, and the self. Throughout…

This book provides the vision and rationale for "centers of pedagogy" that can bring schools and universities together in a close, renewing relationship. It proposes a redesign of education that is grounded in a mission of enculturating students in a social and political democracy. The first four chapters address questions related to the nature…

An essential mission of schools, Mr. Bellamy and Mr. Goodlad argue, is ensuring that each new generation understands the principles and institutions that support democratic life. Schools require vigilant stewardship to serve this public purpose. Much of the needed work is local, but it depends on new and challenging collaborations among education…

Introduces articles addressing philosophical dilemmas raised by consideration of common school's role in a changing, multicultural society and examining implications of multiculturalism for schools in a democratic nation. Argues that improvements must be generated school by school and that prototypes for healthy schools must evolve over time. (CMG)