A democracy is the culmination of man's social evolution, living as part of a society. This grand political experiment balances the human psychological and emotional needs for the sense of self by protecting individual liberties and for the sense of belonging by promoting rule by law over rule by force in how people will be governed as they live and work together as a nation.
A healthy democracy is critically dependent upon an educated citizenry and public schools play a vital role in developing this educated citizenry who is responsible for its care by the exercise of its civic duties. Public schools must educate productive citizens who can provide for themselves and their families and who also engage responsibly in the political life of their communities. Public schools also need to produce accountable leaders who discharge their duties with a sense of ethics to protect individual liberties and to ensure the common good.
The Institute for Educational Inquiry founded by John Goodlad, professor emeritus of education and co-director of the Center for Educational Renewal at the University of Washington in Seattle, states in its mission statement that:
“...To be a citizen in a democratic society is not like being a citizen in any other kind of society. A healthy democracy requires that we learn to listen carefully, thoughtfully, and respectfully to others — even to those with whom we may disagree. This, in turn, requires a willingness to set aside from time to time our own personal goals and to recognize — and even support — the goals of others.”
“We are not born with the skills or the knowledge required for effective participation in a democratic society, nor do we acquire them by simply going about our business. Rather they must be learned, practiced, and nurtured. This is why democracy requires that all citizens receive not just an education, but a particular kind of education. ”
“Educating for democracy means more than simply teaching vocational skills or ensuring a literate workforce. Educating for democracy means developing the individual and collective traits, skills, and dispositions necessary to a moral community — one that uses democratic principles and processes to determine right from wrong, good from bad. ”
Our democracy faces challenges:
Therefore our purpose is: