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What is DEMOCRACY ?
What is the perfect definition of democracy? In the Oxford
dictionary, democracy is defined as, “a system of government by the
full population or all the eligible members of a state,
typically through elected representatives.”
In other words, the citizens have the right to choose their
representatives or change them if they
feel that these representatives are not serving them or their
community as they should.
Democracy is a way of governing which depends on the will of
the people.
"Of the people, by the people, for the people"
(Tucker,2014).
Reflect upon three key ideas within Dewey’s writings.
Dewey argues that
living together in modern society requires public exchange. We
need educated citizens (communities or groups of people) to
work together, share interests,
exchange ideas, solve problems, and make decisions to make
our world a better place. To do
that, it is important that we provide free education at a
prominent level to all. Dewey refers to
schools as an “embryonic society” (Oilers, 2) and argues
that “the small world of schools
should be equal to the big world of society, both should be
democratic.” Schools should be seen
as smaller communities, within the larger communities, where
students learn to communicate,
collaborate, exchange, and “carry civil responsibility like
all other institutions.” (Oilers, 3).
The three keys’ ideas of Dewey's ideas about democracy and
education are
A. Dewey argued that American democracy should be
reconstructed so that government would
be "by the people" not just "for the
people". (Dewey 1985)
B. Dewey said that the most important thing about democracy
is what comes before voting: the
thinking, discussion, and debate. (Dewey 1985)
C. Dewey believed that democracy and education are linked to
one another in two ways: first, to
perpetuate itself, democracy needs educated citizens; and
second, democratic ideas shape
education itself, namely the constitution and process of the
public school system (Dewey 1985).
Upon reflection of these ideas, I question if currently
education access is equal for all. Students
with exceptionalities are then excluded from being
productive in a democratic society. Students
of color with exceptionalities are disproportionately being
excluded. The access to F.A.P.E now
has more meaning to me.
What is/should be the relationship between democracy and
education? Educators should endeavor to create schools’ communities that are
based on the
democratic principles of liberty, equality, responsibility,
and justice. We, as citizens, have the
right to select school leaders that will work for the
betterment of our schools, our communities,
and our country. Most importantly, we need to know when it
is time to let go of those who are
not applying those principles or serving our school
communities as they should.
The relationship
between democracy and education is that if someone gets an
education, that in theory, this will make them more
supportive of democracy, and in turn there
would be financial contributions and votes in favor of Democracy.
Education is the place where children learn good citizenship
and it is here that schools must be
integrated and taught equally.
What should schools do differently to better cultivate
democracy? To better cultivate democracy, schools should ensure that their
leaders, faculty, and
The student body is made up of a diverse group of
individuals. The population should reflect the
world in which we live. They should review their policies,
procedures, and programs to ensure
that they are equitable and just. Develop effective
communication strategies so that your
constituents feel like they are being heard. Participate in
cultural competence training and
provide opportunities to engage in civil discourse so that
everyone learns to listen and
communicate across differences, develop intercultural
understanding, and cultivate empathy.
Good strategies that schools could start implementing to
cultivate Democracy would
be to have skilled teachers use more current event evidence-based
practices that encourage
creative and critical thinking.
Group projects are a fantastic way to get students to start
the process of questioning.
Schools should have more time set aside for the students to
do debates (DEBATE CLUBS
CLASSES) that share opinions and ask questions with
supportive material and data.
What will you do differently in your practice as an
educator? Provide students with options to explore their interests and create
opportunities for
them to build relationships and share their experiences.
Create an inclusive classroom
environment by establishing trust and practicing behaviors
of inclusion. Give them agency and
include them in the development of our classroom norms to
teach them responsibility and
accountability.
.
REFERENCES
Goodman, J. (1989). EDUCATION FOR CRITICAL DEMOCRACY. The
Journal of Education, 171(2),
88–116. http://www.jstor.org/stable/42742153
Tucker, Rich. “A Government 'of the People' or 'over' the
People?” The Heritage Foundation,
https://www.heritage.org/government-regulation/commentary/government-the-people-or-over-the-people.
.
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