Giving Compass' Take:

• The rapidly shifting landscape of technology and democracy in the United States presents unique challenges, but the right education can prepare students and guard against democratic and financial crises in the future. 

• What educational model(s) will produce the best results for students and the country? How can differing opinion on this issue be reconciled?

• Learn why civic participation begins in schools.

The complexities and challenges facing American society have shifted dramatically since 1983.

We need an education system that can prepare students to meet these challenges. And to realize that, we need another national conversation on education that addresses those very students as well.

Take advancements in classroom technology as an example. The devices that are now available to enhance student learning would have been unthinkable even 10 years ago, let alone at the time of the release of “A Nation at Risk.” On the one hand, such innovations allow unprecedented levels of connectivity and access to information.

On the other hand, many studies show that technology in the classroom can be a distraction, and the pace of technological development makes it difficult for schools to keep up. How can we prepare students to have the nimbleness and flexibility they’ll need to succeed as technological changes become more and more rapid?

If we don’t start investing more wisely in our children’s future now and preparing them to thrive amid these challenges, we won’t just negatively impact the job market or the economy. We’ll seriously compromise the future of our democracy.

Our democracy can sustain seismic economic and cultural shifts, but that only works if we educate students on the unique privileges and responsibilities of citizenship.

Read the full article on education to save democracy and the economy by John Heubusch at The 74.