Civility, Citizenship, and Education in a Democratic Society: Implications for Boards of Education and District Leaders

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Allen Quinn
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Leaders Robert Rader, Executive Director, CABE Fran

1 Civility, Citizenship, and Education in a Democratic Society: Implications for Boards of Education and District Leaders Robert Rader, Executive Director, CABE Fran Rabinowitz, Executive Director, CAPSS Richard Lemons, Executive Director, Center

2 Part I: 5 Trends in Modern Society Part II: Board chair and superintendent responses to Civics, Civility and Citizenship survey.

3 Part I: 5 Trends in Modern Society

4 Trend 1: High Stakes Testing Has Narrowed the Curriculum, Reducing Time on Non-Tested Subjects (including social studies and civics).

5 Impact of High-Stakes Accountability Time in math and literacy Time in other subject matters, including social studies and civics. Source: David, Jane. L. (2011). Research Says... High-Stakes Testing Narrows the Curriculum. Educational Leadership. Stakes_Testing_Narrows_the_Curriculum.aspx

6 Trend 2: Dramatic Shifts in Technology Have Altered in the Skills Needed to Navigate as a Knowledgeable Citizen.

The Knowledge Doubling Curve Up until 1900, human knowledge doubled approximately every century. By WWII, it was doubling every 25 years. Now, it is approximately every 13 months.

7 The Knowledge Doubling Curve Up until 1900, human knowledge doubled approximately every century. By WWII, it was doubling every 25 years. Now, it is approximately every 13 months. Soon, it will be every 12 hours. Source: Schilling, David (2013). Knowledge Doubling Every 12 Months.

8 Trend 3: There Is An Increased Toxicity in Public Discourse

9 It is increasingly common place in the body politic to attack the motives, virtues and character of those who disagree with you. No longer is spin enough; politicians and political operatives are out to reduce the credibility of those with different opinions (over debating the question at hand).

10 Trend 4: We Are in the Midst of A Polarization of News and Media with radically different views of reality and truth emerging.

11 Source. Pew Research Center. olitical-polarization-media-habits/ pm/

12 And the implications are significant...

13 Climate Change Source: Media Matters

16 Charlottesville Source: Fisher, T. (2017). Our Left-Right Media Divide Told Through Charlottesville. Politico.

17 Trend 5: The Recent Vitriol of Our Politics Is Poisoning The Interactions of Citizens Even Young Children.

18 Tension In Schools During Campaign 90% of educators said that the climate of their schools had been affected negatively by the election. 80% described heightened anxiety on the part of students worried about the impact on them and their families. 80% reported fears on the part of marginalized students including immigrants, Muslims, African Americans and LGBT people. 40% heard derogatory language directed at minority students. Source: Southern Poverty Law Center (2016). The Trump Effect.

19 10 Days After the 2016 Election Source: Southern Poverty Law Center (2016). 10 Days After: Harassment and Intimidation in the Aftermath of the Election.

20 Examples of In-School Incidents My 12-year-old daughter is African American. A boy approached her and said, Now that Trump is president, I m going to shoot you and all the blacks I can find. Build a wall was chanted in our cafeteria Wed [after the election] at lunch. If you aren t born here, pack your bags was shouted in my own classroom. Get out spic was said in our halls. Source: Southern Poverty Law Center (2016). 10 Days After: Harassment and Intimidation in the Aftermath of the Election.

21 There Has Never Been A Moment When Public Schools Were So Needed to Develop Citizens and Civility

22 Part II: 2017 Survey of Civics, Civility and Citizenry Sponsored by

23 Top priorities for the year, board chair and superintendent perspectives. Board 1. Implementing new curricula Superintendent 1. Implementing new curricula 2.* Improving graduation rates 2.* Shifting to studentcentered/personalized instructional model 2.* Implementing new curricula 2.* Improving PSAT/SAT results for students 2.* Shifting to studentcentered/personalized instructional approach 2* Improving intellectual rigor in the classroom

24 Of lowest priority for the year, board chair and superintendent perspectives. Board 1. Supporting students in learning the skills of citizenry in a democratic government Superintendent 1. Supporting students in learning the skills of citizenry in a democratic government 2. Shifting to or deepening a mastery-based instructional approach 2. Protecting students whose status as immigrants in the US is in jeopardy.

25 Which civic competencies are of most importance? Board 1.* Ability to communicate effectively (listen and articulate) with citizens holding different political views and experiences 1.* Ability to critically scrutinize news/media sources and discern faculty information versus opinion 2. Practical understanding of our political institutions and structures (branches of government, checks and balances, federalism, etc.) Superintendent 1. Respect and defense of human and civic rights 2. Peaceful conflict resolution and the ability to coexist with people who are different than oneself. 3. Ability to communicate effectively (listen and articulate) with citizens holding different political views and experiences

26 Which civic competencies are of least importance? Board 1. Orientation to identify and act upon addressing the needs of the most vulnerable people in society. 2.*Ability to hold political and social institutions accountable. 2.*Ability to take local action on behalf of one s political views (protest, vote, donate, organize, etc.) Superintendent 1. Ability to take local action on behalf of one s political views (protest, vote, donate, organize, etc.) 2. Ability to hold political and social institutions accountable.

27 Political discourse over the last year in the United States spilled over into school discourse within my district. Board 54% Superintendent 84% Responded agreed somewhat, agreed or agreed strongly.

28 You have experienced an increase in conflict among adults (among school personnel, between school personnel and the community, among adults in the community) in the last twelve months (October 2016-October 2017). Board Superintendent 35% 53% Responded agreed somewhat, agreed or agreed strongly.

29 Top 3 barriers to your district further developing the citizenship skills of your graduates. Board 1. Lack of resources 2. Lack of state leadership for making citizenship a top educational priority Superintendent 1. State accountability system 2. Lack of resources 3. Lack of state leadership for making citizenship a top educational priority

30 Thank you Richard Lemons Connecticut Center for

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