So what is democratic education, anyway?
Download a one-page fact sheet about democratic education.
IDEA defines democratic education as learning that equips every human being to participate fully in a healthy democracy. We believe that in a democracy based on participation of each individual, education should also be democratic. If you are interested in working toward this goal, IDEA is interested in working with you.
What is the goal of democratic education?
The goal of democratic education is to empower young people to be autonomous, responsible members of their community and the larger world. Democratic education is rooted in meaningful challenge to the learner, while also being responsive and relevant to the larger community. It celebrates the adventure of learning, while cultivating personal and social responsibility. It helps individuals and communities find their voices.
A democracy is a system in which the people have power and are able to exercise it. Democratic education incorporates the principles of a healthy democracy: students have an active role in shaping their own learning, rather than being passive recipients of knowledge. They are participants and citizens, each with unique gifts, not empty vessels or products on an assembly line.
What are examples of democratic education?
IDEA sees democratic education as a spectrum that includes many types of learning environments. They incorporate elements such as authentic assessment, inconvenient youth voice, participatory decision making, and youth-adult advisories. Here are a few forms that democratic education can take:
- Schools, those that label themselves “democratic” as well as those that embody these values without using that term
- Individual teachers, who carve out spaces for democratic education in their classrooms and schools
- Youth-led groups, including groups formed within schools and in communities
- Non-profit organizations that support youth voice through school-based, out-of-school, and summer programs
- Colleges in which young adults can direct their own learning and practice shared decision-making
- Homeschooling and unschooling, personalized education directed by a young person and his or her family
- Youth voice in policymaking, especially in education policy
- Education cities in which constituents transform the community into a learning space and increase the standard of living
For a more in-depth explanation, read Dana Bennis' feature on "What Is Democratic Education?"
It's happening now.
Sound too good to be true?
Actually, it's already happening, not just in wealthy schools, but in some of the most under-resourced neighborhoods and public schools in the country. IDEA showcases some of the most effective examples of democratic education.
Know another example of democratic education? Email it to us.