Our democracy is in crisis. Both political trust and a shared standard of truth are broken. In this book, Walter Parker shows why and how civic education can help. Offering a centrist approach suitable for a polarized society, Parker focuses on two linked curriculum objectives: disciplinary knowledge and voice. He illustrates how classroom…

The study of current events can take several forms, and the right current event to study as a class depends on the educational purposes, the curricular standards the authors want to address, and the resources they have available to meet them, and what the needs and abilities are of the students present in the class. In this article, they focus on…

Background/Context: The literature on classroom discussion often undercuts itself by treating discussion only as an instructional method, confining its role to the instrumental. Although discussion does serve as an effective means to other curricular ends (teaching with discussion), the capable practice of discussion can also be considered a…

Argues that, with the increasing diversity of the U.S. population, education needs to respond by figuring out a meaningful way to embrace values of civic unity and cultural diversity at the same time. Discusses problems encountered in addressing diversity within civic education and means to bridge the gap. (DSK)

Argues that the United States always has possessed a unified political culture (representative democracy defined by compromise and consensus) and a fragmented ethnic and social culture. Claims that concerns about the divisive effect of multicultural education confuse the two realms. Suggests some curriculum topics that address both ideas. (MJP)

This paper suggests that the concept of "democratic citizenship education" must be expanded and deepened. The conventional conception excludes the key ideas of the social and cultural dimensions of citizenship and the central tension of social life--unity/difference. The paper features the following areas: (1) "Essentially Contested Concepts"; (2)…

In light of Martin Rochester's questioning of his earlier article, in this article the author clarifies his positions and reiterates his belief in the essential connection between public education and the viability of democracy. He does thank Martin Rochester for his interest in "Teaching Against Idiocy." However, in this article, he addresses…

This book contributes to the debate between proponents of multicultural education and those who favor a cultural literacy approach. The book demonstrates that educating for democratic citizenship in a multicultural society includes a fundamental respect for diversity. It bridges the widening gap between multicultural education and civic education;…

Comments that the National Commission on the Social Studies report, "Charting a Course: Social Studies for the 21st Century," (1989) failed to fully explore citizenship requirements of democracy. Argues that social studies at all levels should promote student analysis of controversial public issues and develop students' understanding of…

Contemplating the root of the word "idiocy" leads the author to explore the challenge that democratic societies face of developing public-minded citizens. The schools, he argues, are the most likely institutions to succeed in that task. Schools in societies that are trying in various ways to be democracies, such as the United States,…

States that elementary schools transmit values, either voluntarily or involuntarily due to school culture. Concludes there are three reasons for including a deliberate program of ethics in elementary citizenship education: (1) conscious teaching of appropriate values is preferable to involuntary transmission of inappropriate values; (2)…

Presents five essential strands that should be spiraled through social studies curriculum. Argues these strands suggest concepts that need to be developed. Lists key concepts and presents a way to teach ideas and concepts to intermediate-grade students. Outlines a teaching/learning sequence for concept development and illustrates how the concepts…

Though citizenship education is a popular mission for public schools, it rests on a feeble conception of democratic citizenship that skirts social and cultural diversity. The article outlines a conception of democratic citizenship that is appropriate to pluralistic societies, and it describes appropriate participation, path, and assimilation in…

The high school government course is arguably the main site of formal civic education in the country today. This article presents the curriculum that resulted from a multiyear study aimed at improving the course. The pedagogic model, called "Knowledge in Action," centers on a rigorous form of project-based learning where the projects are…