Donna Vitek’s Post

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 2024 marks 30 years since the adoption of the Salamanca Statement on Inclusion in education the principle of inclusive education, which advocates for the education of all children, regardless of their physical, intellectual, social, emotional, linguistic, or other conditions, in schools. We have to look intently on the impact it has had on persons with disabilities in accessing education .So that we can refine all the inclusive practices in educational institutions and many others. #SpecialEducationNeeds #InclusiveEducation

Critical Thinking, Chaos or Civics? These are confusing times for young people. They have had little or no civics education. They have  had little or no conversation about democracy. They have had little or no conversation or experience about what community is or what it feels like. We have let a whole generation of young people down. Fortunately, some have escaped our ineptitude. Was it accidental that some young people have learned how to work within the system to make change? What needs to be done to deliberately engage them in high ideals? A civics education provided some of the survivors of the Parkland massacre the ability to see that they had power. Today their efforts to establish a viable organization to elect young people is successful. They are the exception. Putnam’s Bowling Alone describes the hyper-individualism that seems to be increasing. It is possible that this lack of community can help explain the increase in authoritarianism that confounds many.   What do the sit-ins, tent cities and protest however say about the youth who are engaged? Engagement is a good thing. We want youth to feel that they have a voice. But as the protests persist, is it possible that the critical thinking necessary to understand complex issues is missing? When long time activist Lisa Fithian is seen helping Columbia students take over a building, is it cause for concern. Who is she? She calls herself a professional agitator. “I create crisis, because crisis it that edge where change is possible,” she told Malcolm Harris for The New Inquiry in March of 2012. https://lnkd.in/gDvaDTDb  Is that the lesson we want the future leaders to hold? Colleges and universities have two main responsibilities; to educate and keep all students safe. They have failed on both counts these last two weeks. Instead of allowing professional agitators to influence our young people, we all have the responsibility to educate and inform them. In this case allowing students to respond with antisemitism (from the river to the sea) or anti Palestinian rhetoric does not serve the world well. We should be ashamed at the state of anger, violence, lack of clear thinking and critical understanding that our failures have created. Civics needs to be added to the K-12 curriculum now!    

JMC president Hans Zeiger appears in The Russell Kirk Center's The University Bookman this week reviewing Jeffrey Sikkenga and David Davenport's A Republic If We Can Teach It: "First and foremost, Sikkenga and Davenport contend civic education should equip students to understand what it means to be an American. This goes far beyond what the authors call 'education as information.' The 'most serious problem with ‘education as information,’' according to the authors, 'is that American history and civics become so boring that teachers do not have the opportunity to cultivate the kind of engaged citizens needed for our republic.' Civics must be more than rote memorization of facts for an industrial economy, they argue. 'Learning facts by themselves—for example, about how government works—is of limited usefulness in forming citizens if it is disconnected from the ‘why’ of America.'" Read the rest below!

How can we support students in becoming justice-oriented democratic citizens who are prepared to tackle an increasingly complex and ever-changing world?

This blog covers more of what we wanted to say last week but didn’t have the space or time… We will have more to say soon!

As a staunch advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in education, I wholeheartedly support the continued representation of marginalized groups in school curricula. It's disheartening to see the stark divide in education policies across different states, where the content of lessons on race, sex, and gender varies widely based on political leanings. Ensuring that students have access to accurate and comprehensive education on these important topics is crucial for fostering understanding, and empathy. It's encouraging to see efforts in some states to expand education on underrepresented groups and promote inclusive curricula. However, it's equally concerning to witness the proliferation of restrictive laws that limit or ban discussions on sensitive issues. Education should not be about indoctrination, as some argue, but about providing students with the knowledge and critical thinking skills to navigate complex social issues. We need to continue to create learning environments where all students feel valued, represented, and empowered to contribute to a more inclusive society. #DEI #Education #Inclusion #Representation #SocialJustice

The Civics Alliance is tracking the most important civics bills across the country. See how legislators are changing the future of civics education in your state, for better or worse: https://lnkd.in/dJy-AsGp

The book is an assessment, appraisal and evaluation of the concept of civic education in contemporary American political culture. It examines the transitions and consolidation of civic education, the value of social responsibility amongst numerous ethos essential for building a civil society and ensuring sustainable communities in the United States. This contemporary assessment accounts for societal issues and a systemic approach for facilitating and ensuring social order through civic education. It examines the possible ramifications and implications for the absence of civic education to the American public; laying emphasis on the proclivities and tendencies of human behavior and its impact on the larger society. Issues such as social responsibility, democracy, human rights, diversity and inclusion, political tolerance are evaluated on the premise of the founding principles and cultural ideology of the United States of America. -Kehinde Moses IGE- The Concept of Civic Education in Contemporary American Political Culture

This week, the Superior School of Education of the Polytechnic University of Bragança put up posters indicating and supporting the inclusion of diversity in the academic environment. The initiative stems from the political and administrative recommendations drawn from the scientific research: Where are these people? This action indicates that this academic learning space is safe and welcoming to all kinds of diversity. It is important to note that the recommendations are mainly the result of the narratives of vulnerable groups participating in the original research. Let's increase this network of resistance. Slowly, change happens. The poster says: The School of Education is a space for inclusion and citizenship training. THERE IS NO TOLERANCE HERE FOR: Homophobia, Transphobia, Racism, Sexism, Ableism and Xenophobia.

💡 Intersectionality between race and SEND with Frances Akinde Inclusivity is a major talking point within education. But sometimes this doesn’t materialise for pupils from ethnic minorities, especially when in need of additional support. 🎙️ Frances Akinde joins Izzy Felton to explore why this is, what it means for students and their families, and how educators can help tackle racism within their SEND school community. 🎧 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eBuVYzmf