Education for Democratic Citizenship

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Education for Democratic Citizenship
Democratic School Governance Elisabeth
Backman Ankara, 11-12 Novemver 2009
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Why democracy in schools?
Ethical reasons Political reasons School as
common denominator Academic results
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Education for Democratic Citizenship
Essential if Europe is to see democracy grow
throughout the member nations. Theory Practice
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What is governance?
Management Leadership School leader as role
model
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In a democratic school
there is an open, consultative ethos children
feel valued and safe relationships between
students and teachers (and among students) are
relaxed and mutually respectful
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Further benefits
improved behaviour increased attendance diversit
y valued reduced bullying/conflict/violence
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In a democratic school
cooperation is normal, not conflict children
learn to live and work as democratic citizens
by doing it in school
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Further benefits
better kept rules raised levels of attainment,
including hard-edged examination results school
is more effective all-round
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Human Rights and Democracy Education
Project Learning and Living Democracy TOOL No 2
of the EDC PACK Democratic Governance of
Schools Elisabeth Bäckman and Bernard Trafford
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DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE OF SCHOOLS

• School leaders analyse
• current position
• Identify next steps
• Plan and implement
• Review, analyse repeat
• process

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The road to democratic school governance takes ...
Trust Courage Knowledge Tools and Skills
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Three democratic principles 1.Rights and
responsibilities 2. Active participation 3.
Valuing diversity
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Four Key Areas 1.Governance, leadership and
public accountability 2. Value-centred
education 3. Cooperation, communication and
involvement competitiveness and school
self-determination 4. Student discipline
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Formal and informal contexts
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Formal and informal contexts
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Formal and informal contexts
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Formal and informal contexts
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What are our limits?
Space for development
Limits set by yourself
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Further help in the Tool

• Ideas and strategies for planning
• Advice on taking the steps from one stage to
  another.
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Alternatives to commonly held fears and anxieties
• Examples of good practice from around Europe
• Indicators of traits and patterns likely to found
  in a school developing democratic practice.

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Education for Democratic Citizenship
Analysis and advice
School leaders are helped to - unpack the
concepts and issues that emerge - explore
the values that underlie the modes of
operation - understand the forms of behaviour
that stem from them
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What it takes
Trust Courage Perseverance Talk, talk, talk!
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On GovernanceAs for the best leaders, the
people never notice their existence.
The next the people praise The next the people
fear. The last the people hate. When the best
leaders job is done, the people say We did it
ourselves. Lao tse
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Questions?Reflections?
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