The Call to Courage
Standing Up and Speaking Out Against the Assaults on Democracy, Educators, and Students in America's Schools
Luvelle Brown author Sheldon Berman author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:8th Apr '24
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
Our nation is rocked by ideological divisions threatening both the work of educators and the core of our democracy. Individuals and groups are attacking public education and implementing policies antithetical to education in a democratic society. They seek to impose their own beliefs upon students and educational institutions by censoring materials, ideas, and practices they find objectionable. They promote intolerance through exclusionary and discriminatory policies and practices concerning persons of different racial, ethnic, religious, national origin, gender, or political identities. They advocate abandoning discussion of culture and identity—despite their importance to student success—to ensure that preferential consideration continues for the prevailing culture. And they close off open dialogue and scrutiny of factual evidence, instead imposing their own agendas. In doing so, they politicize education, bring partisanship into the classroom, promote indoctrination, and undermine education’s democratic goals.
At their best, public schools are an anathema to indoctrination and authoritarianism because they bring a wide range of perspectives into the classroom and teach students to think independently. A democratic and pluralistic society requires that individuals honor and respect differences in identities and beliefs, endorse the pursuit of truth through examination of factual evidence, and participate in open dialogue to resolve issues of difference. Education in a democratic society must support the development of these attitudes, skills, and values in young people. Yet our nation’s culture wars are being fomented by those who have a contradictory vision of American education.
The current times call on each of us to understand what is at risk and to summon the courage to stand up for the pursuit of justice, equity, and a meaningful democracy. But how do we develop and express that personal courage to support schools in promoting respect for diversity and inclusivity, enhancing children’s well-being and social-emotional development, affirming the goals of equitable access and opportunity for all, and providing students with the knowledge and skills to sustain and strengthen our democratic society? At the state and local levels, how do we change the culture of educational endeavors from divisive to collaborative?
This book is a clarion call to parents, educators, students, community members, and education leaders to take courageous action in response to the current threats. To support these individuals in bravely choosing...
The Call to Courage responds to the urgent need for educative leadership in times of political divisiveness. Its pragmatic ideas for reducing polarization while advancing justice will serve the field for years to come. -- Linda Darling-Hammond, Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education, Emeritus, Stanford University; President, the Learning Policy Institute
The Call to Courage will inspire and sustain leaders who want to do the right thing, even when it is difficult. -- Joshua P. Starr, EdD, managing partner at the International Center for Leadership in Education; former superintendent and former CEO of Phi Delta Kappa International
Through compelling narratives and insightful strategies, The Call to Courage urges parents, educators, students, and community leaders to confront the forces that seek to politicize education and undermine its democratic principles. -- Shaun Nelms, superintendent of Educational Partnership Organization, Rochester city school district; William and Sheila Konar Director for the Center for Urban Education Success at the University of Rochester
Drawing on the experiences of two superintendents who champion educational equity, The Call to Courage offers a vision for how we can all stand up and make a difference. -- John Rogers, professor of education, UCLA; director, UCLA Institute for Democracy, Education, and Access
This book explains how educators and communities can come together to counter falsehoods with truths and protect the democratic principles in our schools. -- Colt Gill, Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction and Director, Oregon Department of Education
The Call to Courage is a must-read for those fighting to ensure public schools continue to be students’ and families’ pathway to success -- Gustavo Balderas, Ed. D., President of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, 2023 Superintendent of the Year, National Association of Bilingual Educators
Through examples of everyday heroes who transcend fear to make a difference, The Call to Courage inspires us to engage, offers us practical strategies for overcoming hate, and reminds us that courage is the essential foundation of meaningful action. -- Brent McKim, president, National Council of Urban Education Associations; president, Jefferson County Teachers Association, Louisville, Kentucky
I was buoyed by hearing the stories of how others chose to show courage, reclaim the narrative, and work collaboratively through open dialogue to resolve differences. -- Janice E. Jackson, former deputy superintendent, Boston Public Schools; former deputy assistant secretary, U.S. Department of Education–Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
Berman and Brown have written a book that provides a thoughtful and principled perspective about the importance of leading with courage in our divided communities. -- Craig Hawkins, executive director, Coalition of Oregon School Administrators
The Call to Courage confronts all of us with the need to counter the attacks on local schools and districts and to stand up for the core values of public education as being inclusive, equitable, and purposefully diverse. -- Carl Glickman, University of Georgia; co-author of The Essential Renewal of America's Schools: A Leadership Guide for Democratizing Schools from the Inside Out
The Call to Courage is an inspirational call to action and essential reading for those dedicated to shaping a brighter future for our children and nation. -- Aaron C. Spence, superintendent, Loudoun County Public Schools, Virginia
By delving into the roots of courage, exploring personal stories, and addressing pivotal questions, The Call to Courage empowers education leaders, families, and communities to confront divisive challenges in a productive, human-centered way, nurturing courage in ourselves and our students. -- Lu Young, executive director, UK Center for Next Generation Leadership; past chair, Kentucky Board of Education; former district superintendent
The Call to Courage fiercely champions equity in education, promoting unity against divisive forces that imperil inclusivity and opportunity. -- Alex Marrero, superintendent, Denver Public Schools; president-elect, Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents
The Call to Courage is a must-read for everyone committed to inclusive education through bold, visionary leadership. -- Charles S. Dedrick, EdD, Executive Director, New York State Council of School Superintendents
ISBN: 9781538196762
Dimensions: 216mm x 138mm x 19mm
Weight: 290g
214 pages