While the purpose of K-12 education is largely to train students for college and career, free education in a democratic society has another purpose: to prepare citizens to rule themselves. In this article, Anderson and Gurnee explain how place-based learning equips students to be active citizens in their communities. In this model, school localize…

Adults in the United States have been migrating to ideologically homogenous communities, a phenomenon that researchers have called "the big sort." Thus, the need for young Americans to engage in civil discussion of controversial issues has never been greater. Public schools are an ideal place to undo the big sort because controversial issues fit…

The public schools in the US should go beyond teaching fundamental skills in a democratic society. The teachers should be allowed to interact with students as whole persons and new policies should be developed that treats the schools as a whole community because the future of the children and democracy depends on them.

Describes the development, attributes, and value of a democratic core curriculum, such as integrating self-interest and the common good, and valuing diversity. Argues that a democratic core curriculum should be available to students at all levels of public education. (Contains 12 references.) (PKP)

Discusses the importance of symbols, rituals, events, stories, and ceremonies in defining and sustaining a school's core educational values. Provides school-based examples. (PKP)

With a predetermined agenda, real engagement cannot occur, even if stakeholders help shape the substance of some components. Gaining public and professional support depends on developing engagement strategies (assessing needs, reporting results, and establishing strategic direction) that embody fundamental principles, such as reciprocity,…

Describes the aims, benefits, and challenges of service-learning programs in public schools. (PKP)

Argues that while customizing education through home schooling may permit schooling to be tailored for each individual student, total customization also threatens to insulate students from exposure to diverse ideas and people and thereby to shield them from the vibrancy of a pluralistic democracy. (Contains 10 references.) (Author/PKP)

Citizenship curricula should be broad, realistic, and practical. They should reflect global interdependence and the diversity of American society. (Author)

Describes the First Amendment Schools project aimed at teaching K-12 public and independent school students their constitutionally protected religious, speech, press, assembly, and petition rights and responsibilities. Includes examples describing the project in several schools. Includes annotated list of resources for educators. (PKP)

The educators in the teacher inquiry group examine how to teach for social justice and support the development of student-empowering social justice themes in teachers' practice. A better understanding of effective urban teachers' philosophies and practices and putting a system in place to support the professional growth of all teachers are the two…

In 1982, the Baltimore County (Maryland) Public Schools began a study of values education and ethical behavior. A countywide task force decided to incorporate values based on the Constitution and Bill of Rights into the entire school experience. This article attributes the project's success to six key elements, including widespread community…

Defends comprehensive high schools against critics, past and present, who advocate specialized high schools or dual or tripartite systems separating college-bound from noncollege-bound students. Argues that comprehensive high schools promote social class integration and democratic values, and notes James B. Conant's role in supporting…

A set of ten value concepts for a democratic political community that schools should seek to exemplify are divided into those that primarily promote desirable cohesive and unifying elements and those that primarily promote desirable pluralistic and individualistic elements. (Author/MLF)

Given the importance of educating for democratic citizenship, the involvement of individual business people with policymaking bodies and task forces is highly desirable. However, schools should limit business involvement to civic-minded contributions free of marketing or advertising hype. To do otherwise betrays the spirit of educational…