It is one of few statements upon which Americans left, right, and center agree: The nation faces a civic crisis. Polarization, rage, and militancy vie with cynicism, disengagement, and despair in the much-vaunted battle for America's political soul--all while trampling grace, deliberation, and cooperation underfoot. What can and should our…

This article argues that current approaches to civic learning tend to normalize Whiteness. It describes how a team in Massachusetts developed a framework for civic learning through a lens of racial equity and provided professional development opportunities based on this framework. Civic learning for a multiracial democracy cannot be done in a…

This concluding chapter identifies the key shifts in CLDE by weaving together CLDE's roots, progress, and contemporary concerns. It becomes apparent that CLDE is in a time of transition; yet, the authors highlight two models that have balanced tradition and innovation. Additionally, there are three important orientations to CLDE work that will…

The chapter authors argue there is a distinct relationship between socially just leadership education and civic engagement, which transforms inequitable work to interrupt and reconstruct unjust systems and organizations through curricular learning and engagement. To cultivate advocacy, activism, and engaged citizenry, higher education…

Democracy requires an informed populous that is engaged, politically, and otherwise, and concerned for the safety and wellbeing of its communities. Public institutions of higher education play a pivotal role in democracy, and a direct pathway to this result is civic learning and democratic engagement (CLDE). Now more than ever, a sharper focus on…

This article analyses the perspectives and experiences of refugee and immigrant secondary school students in the USA who are from the Democratic Republic of Congo to examine the interplay between identity and civic education, and broader socio-political discourses around immigration and inclusion. Data are drawn from a 2-year qualitative study…

The United States has witnessed a steady increase in concern about political polarization and its impact on youth. We systematically review and compare the empirical research literature on civic education pedagogy in the United States between 2009 and 2019 to frame efforts to construct an inclusive and healthy democracy--one that decreases…

In this symposium, attention is primarily focused on ethics education in public administration programs in colleges and universities. We argue that teaching ethics should be not only limited to specific ethics courses in higher education nor just embedded as an element in various core courses in public administration programs, but also anchored in…

Context: Civic education is marginalized in many U.S. schools. It is especially rare in elementary schools and in schools serving low-income students of color. Although professional development opportunities in civic education for teachers are limited, these experiences can positively influence teachers' conceptions of teaching for civic…

In December 2020, the Illinois State Board of Education adopted new "Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading Standards" that are focused on identity politics, teaching students to find bias around them, and instructing students on how to resist the "systems of oppression" in which they allegedly live. Critical Theorists…

Strengthening civic literacy needs to be done because this can help individuals become more critical, active, and responsible citizens. Strong civic literacy can help a person understand his rights and obligations as a citizen, as well as how to participate in political and governmental processes. It can also help individuals make informed…

Featuring tools, activities, and insightful stories from a CIA analyst and instructor with 30+ years' of experience, this practical and engaging book supports busy educators to teach the lifelong skills of news and media literacy to their students. Based on existing curriculum and teaching standards, this guidebook shows how social studies and…

The use of digital devices in K-12 classrooms has become increasingly contested with their ubiquity. This study examines policies governing cell phone use in elementary and secondary school civics, social studies, American government, and history classes in the United States. Cell phone policies implemented by teachers differ vastly across and…

The National Academy of Education (NAEd) Civic Reasoning and Discourse project aims to support civic reasoning and discourse in the schools by helping teachers across disciplines to prepare youth in the United States to examine and discuss complex issues in ways that are thoughtful, developmentally appropriate, and respectful of others' opinions…

Purpose: The aim of the article is to contribute to an overall discussion of how civic education may influence the political efficacy of adolescents, with specific emphasis on social equalisation. We analyse how the inclusion of controversial issues in civic education may contribute towards increased social equalisation in political efficacy.…