Democratic Education

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The Four Essentials of a Democratic Education

Learn more about the four essentials of a democratic education: freedom, discussion, involvement, and equality.

Freedom

To prepare for democratic citizenship, students must learn to exercise their rights and understand their responsibilities. Democratic education supports that process through policies, curriculum, organizational structures, and instructional practices that both teach relevant content and provide opportunities for students to safely practice newly developed skills. 

Students are provided opportunities to express personal opinions, make meaningful choices, and solve problems together in ways that reflect democratic processes inherent to society. In the American system, for example, democratic schools support Supreme Court guidelines for student rights.

• See resources on the freedom aspect of democratic education.
• Read more about the American model of democratic education.

Discussion

Civil and constructive discourse is the language of democracy. Students learn to communicate as thoughtful citizens by discussing school and community issues, as well as political topics, including current events and controversies. 

Democracy requires free and thoughtful exchange; a democratic education provides a forum for all its stakeholders—students, parents, faculty, staff, and administrators—to think critically, listen actively, and express personal convictions.

• See resources on the discussion aspect of democratic education.

Involvement

Democratic education is not limited to a class lecture, an extracurricular activity, or even to the school grounds. It requires students to learn civic participation skills in critical thinking, constructive debate, problem solving, collaboration, and working in groups. 

These skills must be reinforced through meaningful practice: community service projects, integrated service learning, participation in student government and student courts, and involvement in school and community decision making.

• See resources on the the involvement aspect of democratic education.

Equality

We live in an increasingly global society, one in which a nation's progress depends on understanding the world beyond its borders. Democratic education provides opportunities for students to learn about and understand other cultures and to develop a commitment to protecting the inalienable rights of all. It extends students' perspectives on rights and responsibilities to consider those of others as well as their own.

• See resources on the equality aspect of democratic education.