Agenda for Education

in a Democracy

 

The Colorado Partnership for Educational Renewal works on a four-part mission-driven and research-based Agenda for Education in a Democracy:

1. Enculturating Democracy: fostering in the nation’s youth the skills, dispositions, and knowledge necessary for effective participation in a social and political democracy.
2. Equitable Access: ensuring that the young have access to those understandings and skills required for satisfying and responsible lives.
3. Nurturing Pedagogy: developing educators who nurture the learning and well-being of every student.
4. Stewardship of Schools: ensuring educators’ competence in and commitment to serve, together with the community, as stewards of schools.

The Colorado Partnership for Educational Renewal is joined in this agenda by –

•  thousands of educators associated with the National Network for Educational Renewal – a growing network of school and college/university partnerships across the United States- who strive to implement the four-part mission of the Agenda for Education in a Democracy;
•  the staff of the Seattle-based, non-profit Goodlad Institute for Educational Renewal, whose mission is to strengthen the role of education in renewing the social and political democracy upon which the future of humankind depends;
•  and the researchers with the Center for Educational Renewal housed in the College of Education on the University of Washington campus, whose mission is to inquire into educational policies and practices that support and strengthen education for democracy.
  
  

The Colorado Partnership for Educational Renewal and other NNER settings implement the Agenda for Education in a Democracy through –

Simultaneous Renewal
In its simplest form, Simultaneous Renewal affirms the reality that we learn from each other – that teaching and learning is reciprocal. This is especially important in preparing future teachers. Excellent schools require skilled educators developed in high quality educator preparation programs. In order to prepare excellent educators (teachers, counselors, principals, and others) these programs provide extensive experiences in schools that model effective pedagogy and ongoing renewal of their work. Faculty members from the schools and the educator-preparing institutions work together, using each other’s expertise to inform and improve their own.

Leadership Development
Schools and educator-preparing institutions cultivate the widespread understanding and commitment to the public purpose of education. The Institute for Educational Inquiry has conducted its intensive, year-long Leadership Program for hundreds of school, educator preparation, and arts and sciences faculty members and administrators who together study the Agenda and plan next steps toward furthering their settings’ progress. Members of the Colorado Partnership have consistently participated in this program and have also offered local Leadership Associates programs in Colorado.

Inquiry and Action with Others
Improvement in schools and educator preparation comes from ongoing, data-based study and improvement of local structures, policies, and actions. Professional educators join efforts in common purpose and engage the support of others who educate and affect the education of the nation’s young, including parents, social service providers, journalists, politicians, businesspeople, and many others.

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