Giving Compass' Take:

• Henry A. J. Ramos and Eric C. Abrams argue that public education must get involved in promoting civic engagement to improve American democracy. 

• How can funders support districts, schools, and teachers better encourage civic engagement? What role can you play in advancing civic engagement? 

• Learn more about the importance of civic engagement. 

Since our nation’s founding, public education has been central to advancing both our democracy and our economy. The founders, from Jefferson to Adams, saw schools as places in which active citizens and contributors to the nation’s development could be formed. They envisioned education as a source of opportunity and upward mobility, and as a unifying factor across society.

With a rapidly diversifying population of young Americans who are confronting immense social, geopolitical and scientific change, it is vital that we quickly invoke education reforms that help these young people to better prepare for the future ahead and also more fully to comprehend and embrace their civic responsibilities.

The real change that needs to happen is not so much about test scores or system restructuring, though both are vitally important. Rather, it is about promoting learning and democracy in a much more meaningful and actionable way.

Today’s public education system in America needs to do a far better job of educating all learners to participate in a society where separating fact from fiction and real news from fake news is increasingly essential.

For our society to be successful and healthy, we must create a kind of education that is more discerning, unifying and valuable for our nation as a whole. Expanding students’ critical thinking skills is vital in this connection. So too is developing their ability to work and communicate across racial, gender, class and ideological differences to achieve shared goals.

By participating in community leadership development efforts, public art projects, neighborhood clean-up and beautification efforts, and other forms of local volunteerism and public problem solving, young people can be afforded constructive opportunities to learn and work together, whatever their differences in race, class or political disposition. Such learning and action are essential to the American future.

Read the full article about public education promoting civic engagement by Henry A. J. Ramos and Eric C. Abrams at EdSource.