Building a learning community: democratic values

How do we create an environment where all members of a school community practice civic habits? How can wehelp school members learn to practice their First Amendment freedoms? Sergiovanni (2002) tells us that the primary aim ofeducation is to enable an individual to function in society. Assuming a democratic society, the school should promote not only those qualities necessary for survival (employment, getting along with people, managing one's affairs, being aresponsible family member, etc., but also those qualities necessary for a healthy democratic society (political involvement that seeks the common good, willingness to displace self-interest for a higher purpose, skills at community building and conflict resolution, an understanding of how the political process works and how to influence public policy. In order for schools to foster the type of environment where learning conditions help individuals develop social and political qualities, learning is best nurtured in a community context.

A democratic school community

In 2001, Fairview Elementary School in Modesto, California participated in a forum sponsored by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) and the Freedom Forum's First Amendment Center.These two groups joined forces to promote a First Amendment Schools: Educating for Freedom and Responsibility. This join venture was developed as a means of looking at how to change the way schools instruct the rights and responsibilities that frame our civic lives. (Beatty,2004)

The guiding principles associated with the democratic values of First Amendment Schools are:

• Create schools that serve as laboratories of democratic freedom.
• Develop in all members of the school community a commitment to inalienable rights and civic responsibility.
• Engage all stakeholders in a shared commitment to work together for the common good of the school community.
• Foster the knowledge, skills and virtues necessary for thoughtful and effective participation in the democratic life ofthe school community and beyond.

Based on the democratic values forum at Fairview Elementary School, students, teachers, administrators,parents, and community members established an abiding commitment to teach and model the rights and responsibilities that promote civicawareness and undergird the First Amendment. (FAS Founders, 2001)

Democratic leadership

According to Richard DuFour, retired superintendent of the acclaimed Adlai Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, author and consultant, says, today's principals must focus on the future, but remain grounded in today. They must see the big picture, while maintaining a close eye on the details. Principals must be strong leaders who give away power to others. (DuFour, 1999)

This idea of shared responsibility is also echoed by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). In 2001, the NAESP outlined six key elements that summarize what is expected of tomorrow's principals who are a creator of democratic values in their schools.These principals:

• Lead their schools in a way that places student and adult learning at the center.
• Set high expectations and standards for the academic and social development of all students and the performance ofadults.
• Demand content and instruction that ensures student achievement of agreed upon academic standards.
• Create a culture of continuous learning for adults tied to student learning and other school goals.
• Use multiple sources of data as tools to assess, identify, and apply instructional improvement.
• Actively engage the community to create shared responsibility for student and school success.

Therefore, these 21st century pioneers must meet the following demands if they are to promote democratic valuesand build community schools:

• Lead through shared vision and values.
• Enlist faculty in the decision-making process and empower individuals to act.
• Provide information, training, and parameters for staff to make good decisions.
• Are results oriented.
• Concentrate on posing the right questions rather than imposing solutions. (DuFour, 1999)

The principles modeled at schools like Fairview Elementary demonstrate that a culture based on democraticvalues is developed through reflective leadership practices. Additionally, implementing the democratic values also means thatleaders must develop sensitivity towards the value of others in order to give meaning to students, teachers, parents and thecommunity at large. Furthermore, by seeking to understand the values of others, leaders can gather enough information on how theycan best utilize a shared decision making process. Hence, by developing an awareness of others, school leaders are able to gaugethe influence that certain individuals, groups, and organizations can have on their schools. Therefore, the decision on how to createan environment where schools promote democratic values helps to built students who grow into responsible social and politicallyaware members of society, which understand the government process and are skilled in community building.

References

Barth, R. (1990). Improving schools from within. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Beatty, E. (2004). Creating a laboratory fordemocracy. Educational Leadership, 61, (8), 75-78

DeFour, R.&Eaker, R. (1998). Professional learning communities at work: Best practicesfor enhancing student achievement. Bloomington, IN: National Education Service.

Lashway, L. (2003, July). Role of the school leader. Retrieved Feb 12, 2004, from (External Link)

Lambert, L. (1998). Building leadership capacity in schools. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Lieberman, A. (1997). The national writing project. Educational leadership,59,(6), 40-43.

Schaps, E. (2001). The principal's life: Building community fromwithin. Retrieved June 22, 2005, from (External Link)

Sergiovanni, T. (2001). The Principalship: A reflective practice. 5th ed. San Antonio, TX: Trinity Press.

Sergiovanni, T., R. Starratt, (2002). Supervision a redefinition. 7th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.