Dilemmas of Democratic Teaching: The Gap Between Ideals and Practice

• In Event: 61.086 - Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: 61.086-5 - Roundtable 1

Abstract

Abundant scholarship advocates teaching for multicultural democracy and social justice in social studies and English. However, studies show a wide distance between reform ideals and classroom practice. This paper analyzes the problem in three areas germane to yet problematic for democratic teaching. These are communication of academic standards, discussion of controversial issues, and competing curricular demands. It analyzes data drawn from three qualitative studies to illuminate the teaching dilemmas in these arenas, underlying problems, and implications for reform.

Author

• Judith L. Pace, University of San Francisco