“Taking the Action out of Civics?” is a case study from the Justice in Schools initiative. The case
examines the debate over a form of project-based civics education called Action Civics, in which students research a topic of their choosing and then take action to create change. In this case study, a parent’s crusade to end the action civics project prompts a high school to examine the purpose of civic education, the rights of young people to influence their community, and the ways that polarized discourse influences schools. Should young people be recipients of civic knowledge rather than agents of change? How should input from the community influence school decisions about curriculum? In a polarized community, is it better to make waves or smooth tensions?
You can read the case and discuss what you would do in the same circumstances. The case comes with a discussion protocol and other materials.
