We Must Reclaim the Democratic Purpose of California Schools
By Joseph Kahne, Erica Hodgin, and John Rogers
We are worried about the future of American democracy. Deep fissures in our civic community along with the spread of misinformation undermine our commitment and capacity for public engagement and action. This weakening of our ability to solve problems democratically coincides with crises that demand our collective attention.
We are struggling to respond to a global pandemic, the urgent need to address racial injustice and challenges of climate change which are bringing unprecedented wildfires to the West Coast. Needless to say, many underlying challenges we face as a society will persist long after a COVID-19 vaccine is widely distributed.
Even as we wait for a new administration to bring some modest changes to our national politics, it is increasingly clear that we need a broader renewal of democracy. Our public schools can and should play a critical role. We should be preparing youth to engage thoughtfully and powerfully with societal issues.