Ed Week -- Can Civic Engagement Be Taught?

Published: February 21, 2007

Commentary
Can Political Participation Be Taught?
The Civics of Student Engagement
By Jeffery J. Miller


Amid calls for a dramatic overhaul of American education aimed at preserving the nation’s dominant position in the global economy, there are still voices advocating more-traditional ideals of education, such as preparation for living in and passing on a democracy. Though we recognize the economic role of schooling, many of us continue to worry about declining voting rates for young people and their lagging civic participation. Some reformers recommend increased instruction and classroom discussion about American history—the various wars, founding documents, social movements, and national holidays—to remind students of our democratic traditions.

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Jeffery J. Miller is an education and youth-development consultant in Denver. He can be contacted at Jeff@LeadingNow.org.