democracy and education

All three of these readings center around the idea of constructing a democratic school in which students learn based on a spontaneous spirit of motivation and interest. In “What it Takes to Create a Democratic School”, Mimsy Sadofsky presents ideas regarding the challenges and responsive strategies that are necessary in creating such a school. Interestingly, in trying to formulate a conception of what exactly a democratic school is, she derives her conception from the common understanding of what defines democracy in general. For example, democracy ensures each citizen inalienable rights, protects these rights with a judicial system, etc.

This interesting relationship between democracy and education is reciprocal. While Sadofsky suggests that a democratic school can be built on the model of political democracy, conversely, the history of education in Reggio Emilia seems to suggest that such a schooling system will in turn give birth to a democratic society. The article precludes its exploration of Malguzzi’s educational ideas by noting that, based on a variety of different factors and indicators, Reggio Emilia is one of the most democratically inclined regions of Italy with a very high level of civic participation.

The establishment of democracy within the classroom is the force that has led to these developments. Interestingly, the Reggio Emilia approach finds its origins in the aftermath of WWII and the first school was built from the capital of tank and horses. This is fitting considering that WWII was caused by fascist and authoritarian forces which oppose the aims of a democratic system of education. I find the methodology of the Reggio Emilia approach very interesting, but will not go into that discussion here. I am excited to continue learning about different philosophies of education that hold the potential to open the door to the revitalization of democracy in society.