What Kind of Citizen?: Educating Our Children for the Common Good

by Joel Westheimer

How can schools teach the skills required for a strong democracy to flourish? What Kind of Citizen? asks readers to imagine the kind of society they would like to live in―and then shows the ways in which schools can be used to make that vision a reality. Westheimer draws on groundbreaking research on school programs and policies to sharply critique the current direction of school reform. He points to the many varied and powerful ways to teach children and young adults to engage critically, to think about social issues, and to participate in authentic debate that acknowledges that intelligent adults can have different opinions. But today’s teachers are being forced to abandon these practices in favor of test-preparation in only a very narrow set of academic subjects. How did this happen? What can we do to set schools back on the right track? How can we realign school goals with what research shows parents, children, and teachers actually care about? How can we save our schools from today’s myopic interpretation of what constitutes an education? Westheimer answers these questions and makes a powerful call for schools to become more engaging, more democratic, and more educative. Book

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Professional Development

128 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[Sara Riley Piotrowski]

I assigned this book to my students in a History-Social Sciences Methods course and it did not disappoint. While the audience is clearly educators, anyone with an interest in public education (parents, taxpayers, etc) would benefit from reading this book. At the end of the day, our public schools must, "teach students how to ask questions, expose students to multiple perspectives and viewpoints on important issues that affect everyone's lives, provide opportunities to analyse and discuss different viewpoints, show that 'facts" are less stable than is often thought, and engage controversial issues," (p. 99). It's a quick, yet thought-provoking read.

[Danielle Edwards]

Had to read this for grad school. Highly recommend for any educator! Good discussion that focused on how to build better citizenship in our students as opposed to building “good test takers”.

[Brenda D]

Anyone who is concerned about future generations or how schools can educate, encourage and engage students in becoming better citizens 'for the common good' needs to read this short but incredibly informative book! I highlight helpful passages so I can find them later and there was almost no page in this book that didn't have highlighting!

Of particular note is Chapter 5 "What Kind of Citizen?" where the author explores at 3 different "types" of citizenship - comprised of different actions, beliefs and assumptions. Educators often unquestioningly adopt an approach without further thought and without realizing that "each vision of citizenship reflects a distinct set of goals" (p.38). The next three chapters explore the underlying goals and assumptions that drive different educational programs and support different visions of the good citizens, allowing educators and curriculum developers to make conscious choices.

Chapter 9 "Seven Myths About Education" should be mandatory reading, especially for politicians who make arbitrary decisions about education that hinder student development as engaged citizens. These myths continually derail true education in favour of test scores ("that ate humanity") and illusionary "national standards".

All educators need to read this book! They will be informed, yet also encouraged ... for, in the concluding words of the author, "We are walking in a powerful and worthwhile path" (p.101).

[James]

A book that examines elements of citizenship in education by examining how education has a role in creating citizenship. At times, the book creates more questions than it answers, especially given recent educational issues to which I would love to hear the author’s response, but this is part of the strength of the work. If education cannot - and should not - be apolitical, how do we make education a tool to create the best citizens. What is the common good and how can education work toward it? By examining the ideas of learning as a path toward justice, participation, and community engagement, Westheimer examines political influences, misplaced myths, and the essential nature of schools creating responsible, participatory, and above all thinking citizens that can adapt to the changing world. If the book does leave more questions than answers, it still readily accomplishes the role of engaging the reader in trying to answer the titular question - What Kind of Citizen?

[Kevin Fulton]

I expected more out of this book. The author’s academic articles are better and still accessible reads.

The strengths are that the book helps lay out 3 types of citizenship perspectives: personally responsible, participatory, and justice-oriented. And that it explains the results of different programs.

But the author shows zero interest in understanding those who have different perspectives, which is ironic because he states that understanding and interacting with those who have different perspectives is crucial for a democratic society. As a result, he is willing to give nuance for his side but is happy to stereotype standardized tests, grading, and other “traditional” approaches.

[Kendra]

A short but important read. Westheimer asks the question of what kind of citizen are schools creating in their students. An easily approachable text that challenges the status quo of standardized tests and common core. A book that pleads for place based education as a means for creating citizens who want to make the world a better place.

[Hanna Sondakh]

Gives me a new perspective to the importance teaching. Loved this.

[Viri Velazquez]

very insightful but not a very fun read.

[Elia Kruger]

Most of it is pretty obvious stuff, though he raised some important questions to consider. Very against standardization of curriculum but never talks about any research supporting those efforts

[Random Scholar]

Whatever happened to social studies classes every day? What effect has this had on large numbers of students? Why are so many students apathetic towards politics? Should we discuss politics in the classroom? What does it mean to be an informed, active, democratic citizen? What is democratic citizenship? This book answers all of those questions and more. Westheimer documents the different ways we can teach students democratic citizenship, and how to advocate for the rights of themselves and others in a democratic society. Filled with real-life examples of teachers who have woven social studies into their literacy blocks, this book has many creative examples of ways we can keep students informed of their rights and responsibilities in a democratic world.

[Haley Afable]

(Assigned for one of my classes) Outlined things in a great, succinct way but wasn't anything revolutionary and is at this point a little dated.

[Tinisha Shaw]

I appreciate the argument the author makes about schooling and it's purpose and impact in society.

[Read Ribbet]

Read at the suggestion of our WSRA Legislative and Advocacy Committees, Westheimer's accessible and slim volume reminds us of critical outcomes for progressive pedagogy and the current obstacle and hurdles that need to be surmounted. With federal policy defining the narrative scripts already in play in schools, Westheimer asks what goals should drive education in a democratic society? At the heart is the need for critical thinking and asking questions often subjugated by current policy and practices. He shows how teachers have been stripped of decision making powers in attempts to standardize and hold all accountable. Advocating for social justice, participatory, personally responsible, thinking, engaged citizens, he shares some examples but falls a bit short on how to bring practices needed for these outcome to scale. Certainly one more voice to provide support for moving in new directions.

[WinnieTheSioux]

An interesting discussion on the unspoken curriculum hidden in each school. Schools teach citizenship almost unconsciously, but what kind of citizens are we educating our children to be? This short book is a bit more ideological than practical, but raises very interesting questions about the how we raise the level of social discourse in our schools through community involvement and rising above personal responsibility into social and systemic awareness.

[Jasmine]

An expansion of the Westheimer & Kahne's award winning paper. Book has many useful examples & written to appeal to general readers, not just scholars.