Let’s Not Go Back: It’s Time to Give Kids a Democratic Education
An Education that fosters community and embraces inclusion
“What is the “cost” of a symphony unwritten, a cure not discovered, a breakthrough not invented? In today’s complex world, and in preparing for tomorrow’s certainly more complex one, we can scarcely afford to waste “talent capital” of any sort.” (McCluskey & Treffinger, 1998)
Even before the COVID-19 crisis, too many youths were oppressed and not served well within our educational system. There is a constant push in our society for assimilation into the dominant culture. The current educational system doesn’t offer a place for kids that do not fit into that culture, especially those that are repressed because of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, gender identity, learning styles, or because they choose not to conform. Often these young people are pushed out of the school system — negatively impacting their identities and their long-term quality of life.
A democratic classroom offers a different framework for approaching education, one which fosters community and embraces inclusion. Working towards eliminating…
