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

Working Collaboratively to Get Children Ready for Democracy

District Leaders Network 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.

National Youth Leadership Council
AASA partners with the National Youth Leadership Council on its Generator School Network, an online resource that provides information and best practices on integrating service-learning into the curriculum. NYLC links youth, educators, and communities to redefine the roles of young people in society through service-learning. NYLC empowers youth to transform themselves from recipients of information and resources into valuable, contributing members of a democracy.

America’s Promise Alliance
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.

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.

Resources

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 report.

The Progress of Education Reform overviews the important role of civic education and service-learning in public schools. Download the report (PDF). 

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. Download the report (PDF).

Staff Contact:
Sharon Adams-Taylor, Associate Executive Director
703-875-0720
sadams@aasa.org