As PK3-12th grade educators, we wrestle with how to adequately prepare our students for active, engaged citizenship. In late adolescence, our students transition to legal adults, inheriting the rights and responsibilities associated with citizenship. Research studies consistently suggest decline in nearly every measure of civic and political engagement among American citizens, including participation in civic activities, rallies, political campaigns, and public meetings. To combat this trend, I engaged in a 4 year dissertation research study to propose a center for democracy intervention model. This PreK-12 integrated, holistic model is designed to address civic identity development, critical service learning, and civic leadership development. The proposed program is not a prescriptive curriculum, but a framework based on a learning outcomes approach, emphasizing 21st century skills, including inquiry-based learning, collaboration, and experiential practices that bring learning outside of the classroom.
