Reinvigorating the Civic Purpose of Schooling: Reframing Outcomes and Expanding Democratic Education Across K–12 Learning

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

The current politicized and coordinated attacks on what can be taught in schools have undermined the role of public schools in preparing students to become capable responsible citizens and democratic problem-solvers. This symposium session will engage scholars and practitioners in a discussion that addresses the current climate as well as potential responses to these challenges. Drawing upon multiple recent reports, the presenters will address new data and research from the field, discuss interdisciplinary research evidence supporting an expanded vision of civic and democratic education, illustrate a bi-partisan path to collaboratively enhance democratic education, and provide an overview of recent efforts to develop cross-curricular, open-source materials to support teachers. Finally, the symposium will include an open discussion addressing teacher support.

Sub Unit

• Division C - Learning and Instruction / Division C - Section 2b: Learning and Motivation in Social and Cultural Contexts

Cosponsor

• Division L - Educational Policies and Politics

Chair

• Gregory A. White, National Academy of Education

Papers

• Notes From the Field: The Impact of the Recent Partisan Campaign Over What and How to Teach - Mica Pollock, University of California - San Diego

• A Renewed Civic Mission of Schools - Kent McGuire, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

• Finding Common Ground: A Bipartisan Blueprint for Civic Learning in a Time of Controversy - Peter Levine, Tufts University; Paul Carrese, Arizona State University

• Improving Students’ Capacities for Civic Reasoning and Problem-Solving - Na'ilah Suad Nasir, Spencer Foundation; Alan H. Schoenfeld, University of California - Berkeley; Dian Dong, National Academy of Education

Discussant

• Carol D. Lee, Northwestern University