Citizenship, Democracy and Public Schools

Citizenship: "No one is born a good citizen; no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth. A society that cuts off from its youth severs its lifeline." Kofi Annan, former secretary-general of the United Nations (1997-2006)

Democracy: "I understand democracy as something that gives the weak the same chance as the strong." Mohandas Gandhi, Indian nationalist leader

Public Schools: "If you look back in history, you will find that the core mission of public education in America was to create places of civic virtue for our children and for our society. As education undergoes the rigors of re-examination and the need for reinvention, it is crucial to remember that the key role of public schools is to preserve democracy and, that as battered as we might be, our mission is central to the future of this country." Paul Houston, former executive director, American Association of School Administrators

Getting children ready for democracy embraces the notion that to thrive this nation must have:

• citizens who are committed to the ideals of democracy,
• citizens committed to the work of the democracy,
• citizens equipped to operate in a democracy, and
• citizens who can find common ground in their differences and respect where common ground is absent.

AASA is standing up for public education to make sure that public schools continue to fill their role as a cornerstone of the common good, providing the foundation for the civic society that is critical to our democracy. We are committed to this challenge.

Listen to the Immediate Past-President Randy Collins discuss one aspect of the "foundation of public schools in this country." (Windows Media/QuickTime)

How We Do It: Working Collaboratively to Get Children Ready for Democracy

America’s Promise
Through the collective efforts of this alliance that includes nonprofit organizations, mayors, governors, business partners, policymakers and young people, more children are gaining the opportunity to make a difference in their lives and in their communities. As part of this national alliance, AASA provides technical assistance to local school district leaders to ensure that students have caring adults actively involved in their lives; safe places to learn and play; a healthy start; an effective education that builds marketable skills; and opportunities to help others to become engaged citizens. For more information, visit www.americaspromise.org or contact Amy Hereford at ahereford@aasa.org.

Beyond High School
Research shows that as many as one-third of America’s high school students fail to graduate on time and that only one-third of all graduating seniors are actually ready for college, post-secondary training or employment. These failure rates are unacceptable, but they are not intractable. The comprehensive challenges facing young people can be understood and addressed. For more information, visit AASA's Beyond High School webpage or contact Amy Hereford at ahereford@aasa.org.

Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools
This campaign works with coalition partners to expand and improve civic learning in schools, grades K-12. The focus is on facilitating changes in local, state and national policy that promote civic learning. AASA is on the steering committee. For more information, visit www.civicmissionofschools.org, download an information sheet (PDF) or contact Sharon Adams-Taylor at sadams@aasa.org.

Character Counts Coalition
The members of this diverse, nonpartisan alliance of leading human-service and education organizations, including AASA, are working together to strengthen the character of today’s young people. The Character Counts program is centered on promoting six "Pillars of Character": trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. For more information, visit www.charactercounts.org or contact Sharon Adams-Taylor at sadams@aasa.org.

District Leaders for Civic Engagement and Service Learning
AASA partners with the Education Commission of the States, National Center for Learning and Citizenship and the National School Boards Association on a national network of school leaders committed to integrate and sustain quality citizenship education and service learning. For more information, visit www.ecs.org/nclc or contact Sharon Adams-Taylor at sadams@aasa.org.

National Student/Parent Mock Election
The National Student/Parent Mock Election seeks to turn the sense of powerlessness that keeps young Americans and their parents from going to the polls into a sense of the power of participation in our democracy. One of the most important ways to increase students' sense of significance – and power – is to use the Mock Election to take them out of the classroom and into the real world. For more information, visit http://www.nationalmockelection.org.

Operation Respect
AASA collaborates with this nonprofit organization to help schools and organizations establish a safe, positive environment free from ridicule, bullying and violence. Founded by Peter Yarrow of the folk group Peter, Paul & Mary, Operation Respect developed the "Don't Laugh at Me" programs that use inspiring music and video along with curriculum guides based on the regarded conflict resolution curricula developed by the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program of Educators for Social Responsibility. For more information, visit www.operationrespect.org or contact Sharon Adams-Taylor at sadams@aasa.org.

Did You Know That:

• U.S. 9th grade students scored significantly above the international average?
• No other country outperformed U.S. students?
• On the civic skills section of the test, U.S. students scored higher than the average and no country outperformed U.S. students?

Data from What Democracy Means to Ninth-Graders: US Results from the International IEA Civic Education Study, National Center for Education Statistics, 2001.

Resources

The America's Promise Civics Program lets students experience firsthand what it's like to govern and make the decisions that pull the country together. The America's Promise videos and lesson plans target elementary, middle school and high school students. Download free materials or contact Kay Ferris at 703-875-0761 or kferris@aasa.org.

"Citizens for the 21st Century: Revitalizing the Civic Mission of Schools" is a call to action to education leaders to ensure that students are ready to participate in today's global society, fully prepared to take on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. This report from National Association of State Boards of Education Study Group on Civic Engagement and Ethical Behavior in a Global Society offers four broad recommendations along with action steps for accomplishing the development of policies and practices that stress the importance of civic learning. (2006, 32 pages). Purchase the report.

Civic Mission of Schools Report summarizes the status of and need for civic learning in schools, kindergarten through 12th grade. It analyzes trends in American political and civic engagement; identifies promising approaches to educating students for democracy; and offers recommendations to educators, policymakers, government officials and funders. Download the full report.

"Community-Based Learning: Engaging Students for Success and Citizenship" focuses on a collection of teaching and learning strategies that engage students in learning through community-based problem solving. Collectively referred to as community-based learning, these strategies include academically based community service, civic education, environmental education, place-based learning, service learning and work-based learning. It draws from research on peer-assisted learning, project-based learning and experiential learning. Download the 2005 report.

"Restoring the Balance Between Academics and Civic Engagement in Public Schools" provides advice to broaden the concept of public education to embrace civic learning and engagement. This 2005 report was published by the American Youth Policy Forum and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Purchase the report.