This article shares two research projects in the United States and Australia where children and teachers lead their local communities towards living well in precarious times. Rooted in the image of 'children as citizens of the now', the research projects offer innovative pedagogies as a way for children to generate meaningful relationships with…

For almost three quarters of a century, advocates have worked to give comparable federal stature to September 17, the day on which we celebrate the anniversary of the 1787 signing of the U.S. Constitution by the nation's founders. As President John F. Kennedy noted in his 1961 Constitution Day proclamation, it is a day for…

Discusses the use of the National Issues Forum's (NIF's) town meetings in efforts to increase citizen participation in democratic processes. Describes the Catholic adaptation of the NIF approach, providing examples of its use at the high school, college, and community level. (MAB)

The historic events of 1989 changed the political map of the world. Students and workers in China rose up to demand democracy. Democracy bloomed in Chile, Brazil, and other Latin American countries where freely elected governments replaced repressive rulers. Communist dictatorships in Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Rumania were…

The history of higher education in America has a rich tradition of preparing students for civic roles and responsibilities, but with increased specialization, these goals have lost their emphasis in the curriculum. This monograph defines responsible citizenship in a democratic society and its requisite skills; reviews higher education's role in…

Describes the Close Up Foundation, a nonpartisan civic organization, and its approaches to citizenship education. Indicates that the Foundation's goal is to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that encourage greater civic participation and that its approach stresses the diversity of participants, active learning, a balance of viewpoints,…

Considers the sociocultural factors that discourage the appropriate teaching of reading and writing. Discusses how the lay community would have to be involved in an improved language arts curriculum that individualized learning tasks, encouraged developmental interaction among individuals, and integrated learning across subjects, media, and types…

Examines the uses of R.I.C.E. (Responsibility, Interdependence, Creativity, and Empowerment) processes to enhance civic education programs. Highlights R.I.C.E.'s compatibility with the National Standards for Civics and Government in the areas of shared responsibility, global interdependence, dynamic creativity, and people empowerment. Includes…

The authors discuss (1) the meaning of citizen participation and the types of roles and skills that can be taught in classrooms; (2) how textbooks and other social studies materials teach participant roles; and (3) a sample lesson for teaching participation skills. (AV)

The new informalists in education are frequently as blind as the most conservative educators, failing to recognize the real responsibilities of teachers in a democratic society. (DM)

The Foxfire approach may be an example of how elementary and secondary students can be prepared by their education to live in a democracy. Core practices of the Foxfire approach include: work initiated by student interest and desire; active involvement in planning, implementing, and evaluating all learning activities; peer teaching and…

This report describes the "anticipatory democracy" movement, which advocates citizen participation and awareness of future problems, and suggests instructional strategies for the field of communication to increase both students' and community members' future-consciousness and involvement in society. Specific topics of concern are the…

Examines the importance of elementary and secondary student participation in community service activities for effective civic education and citizen development. Suggests that if commitment to service were an integral part of educational processes students would continue participating in community service programs as adults. (MAB)

Presents a secondary school lesson on cumulative voting in political elections. Encourages students to recognize the controversial nature of linking cultural diversity and voting rights. Includes learning objectives, step-by-step instructional procedures, and a student handout. (CFR)

A proactive individual can perceive, research, evaluate, and act upon a problem in a manner that is responsible to both himself and to the society. The development of proactive students requires changes in teacher training strategies. Teachers must behave as "directors" and not "dictators" of student learning, and curricula must be changed to…