Civic Education versus Civic Engagement
Downs, Donald A.
Academic Questions, v25 n3 p343-347 Sep 2012
This article presents the author's critique on a new report titled "A Crucible Moment: College Learning and Democracy's Future", and focuses on civic education and civic engagement. The Obama administration's new report confronts a genuine problem in American education. The decline of civic education and knowledge in America is one of the few problems about which both sides of the political spectrum can agree, at least in principle. Many surveys and studies in recent years have exposed a stunning lack of basic knowledge among the citizenry--especially the young--about America's constitutional system and the political systems of other countries. The author argues that, in assuming a decidedly progressive posture on civic education and engagement, the report ironically represents a failure of the civic education and engagement it purports to champion. The author's point here is that a persuasive report on civic education and engagement that attempts to see things from a higher perspective should recognize two truths: (1) that profound and legitimate disagreement reigns over the best solutions to problems the report cites; and (2) "that recognizing this disagreement is essential to civic education and engagement." He contends that "Crucible" will generate creedal passion in its own right. But it lets one down by failing to integrate creedal disagreement into its vision of citizenship, civic engagement, and civic education. (Contains 8 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Citizenship, Democracy, Citizenship Education, Citizenship Responsibility, Democratic Values, Educational Principles, Research Reports, Civics, United States Government (Course), Culturally Relevant Education, Change Strategies, Educational Change, Educational Assessment, Educational Indicators
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers
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