The Responsibilty of Teaching Students to Become “Engaged Capable Voters”and the Slippery Slope
The Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) decision requires New York State to provide a “sound basic education,” and, goes on to define the term;
… sound basic education should consist of skills necessary to enable children to eventually function productively as civic participants capable of voting and serving on a jury. Productive citizenship means more than just being qualified to vote or serve as a juror, but to do so capably and knowledgeably. It connotes civic engagement. An engaged, capable voter needs the intellectual tools to evaluate complex issues, such as campaign finance reform, tax policy, and global warming, to name only a few. Ballot propositions in New York City, … can require a close reading and a familiarity with the structure of local government
Are we working towards enabling our students to become “engaged, capable voters” and provide them with the “intellectual tools to evaluate complex issues?”
If we stay within the confines of required courses and examination preparation, the answer isprobably not. We should set aside time to use the presidential election process as a teaching tool.
The nation is currently engaged in the candidate selection process, a primary CONTINUE READING: The Responsibilty of Teaching Students to Become “Engaged Capable Voters”and the Slippery Slope | Ed In The Apple
