Throughout the history of public schooling in the United States, maintaining democracy has been cited as one of the fundamental justifications for public support for schools. The pioneers of public education--among them Thomas Jefferson, Horace Mann, and John Dewey--argued that schools were, in fact, essential to the health and well-being of the…

In this article, the author discusses the characteristics that are found in "democratic" schools, the importance of this type of school, and what Social Foundation teacher educators can do to support the development of teachers who are attuned to and grounded in an education for democracy. She contends that Social Foundations teacher educators…

Notes the need to rethink the importance of foundational courses in teacher education, critiquing important issues for practice; describing one foundations course; highlighting the need to examine what teachers are doing when they teach teachers; and drawing on Maxine Greene's philosophy to detail the quest to prepare teachers who can build a more…