Reclaiming Democratic Education: Student and Teacher Activism and the Future of Education Policy

Chris Thomas' book "Reclaiming Democratic Education" explores how student and teacher activism in the US is responding to the conflict between two traditions: democratic public education and economic policies that prioritize corporate interests. He argues that activism provides a foundation for developing a new model of education that reclaims an education for citizenship.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2022
Publisher: Teachers' College Press

Since the spring of 2018, a significant number of students, teachers, and their supporters have engaged in protests at or against their educational institutions. These protests encompass a wide range of issues, including gun control, climate change, inadequate funding for education, and the responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his book titled "Reclaiming Democratic Education," Chris Thomas delves into the dynamics of these activities, exploring how they intersect with two opposing traditions. The book examines a historical trajectory of student and teacher activism that aligns with the democratic ideals of public education. However, this history is now encountering a clash with current policies that prioritize economic objectives and limit civic agency. By situating contemporary activism within these conflicting traditions, Thomas effectively demonstrates how these endeavors constitute a rejection of the dominant policy paradigm in U.S. education. In the concluding chapter, Thomas offers a thought-provoking discussion on the role of activism as a foundation for concerned teachers, school leaders, and policymakers to develop a new model for American education. This model aims to reclaim an education that fosters citizenship and empowers individuals to actively participate in shaping their society.

The book features several key aspects that contribute to its significance. Firstly, it traces the interconnected histories of student and teacher activism, spanning from the Revolutionary Period to the present day. By examining this historical trajectory, Thomas provides a comprehensive understanding of the long-standing struggle for educational equity and social justice. Secondly, the book highlights the problematic policy positions that often place teachers in a subordinate role, expecting them to prioritize the well-being of their students over their own. This portrayal challenges the conventional notion of teachers as passive recipients of policy and emphasizes the need for transformative change in the education system. Thirdly, the book offers a roadmap of policy shifts that would disrupt the current dominant paradigm in American education and pave the way for an Education for Citizenship paradigm. Thomas proposes a range of measures, such as increasing funding for public schools, promoting teacher empowerment, and fostering civic engagement among students. These recommendations aim to create an environment that values education as a means to empower individuals and promote social and political responsibility.

Overall, "Reclaiming Democratic Education" is a thought-provoking and timely book that offers valuable insights into the current state of education and the potential for transformative change. By examining the intersection of student and teacher activism with opposing traditions, Thomas provides a framework for reclaiming an education that prioritizes democratic values, social justice, and civic agency. The book is a must-read for educators, policymakers, and anyone interested in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future for education.

Weight: 361g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780807766910