The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GSEHD) has received a $2.4 million grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to launch the Forum on Democracy and Education.
GSEHD will use the forum to collaborate with educators, school leaders, foundations and policymakers to develop innovative civic education strategies.
The project is informed by GSEHD Dean Michael Feuer’s latest book, “Can Schools Save Democracy: Civic Education and the Common Good” (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2023), which examines the role of education in sustaining democratic values.
Feuer said recent national and international assessments indicate a troubling decline in civic knowledge among students. The forum will work to bridge this gap by equipping young people with the skills and knowledge necessary for active participation in a pluralistic democracy.
The forum will serve as a collaborative hub, fostering dialogue and producing key resources to support civic education. These resources will include issue briefs on effective civics instruction and deliberative discussions among educators and policymakers. Additionally, master classes will be offered on innovative approaches to civic curricula.
There will also be a public engagement website to share insights and best practices as well as a podcast series featuring conversations with leading education scholars and practitioners.
By fostering collaboration between scholars, educators and philanthropic organizations, the initiative will strengthen public-private partnerships that advance democratic values through education.
“The health of democracy depends on an informed and engaged citizenry,” Feuer said. “With support from the Hewlett Foundation, the Forum on Democracy and Education will provide educators with the resources and research needed to integrate civic learning into classrooms nationwide.”