Everyone wants schools that are safe, where students, teachers and support staff can concentrate on learning and not have to worry about crime and violence. In this community dialogue, you'll be asked to discuss your ideas on the best way to ensure that schools are safe places for children to learn and grow. Different approaches to school safety will have different benefits and different costs and challenges. To help you and your neighbors decide what is most important to you, Public Agenda presents in this Citizens ChoiceWork Guide three hypothetical school communities, each of which has approached the issue of school safety in a different way. (continue)

Peter Levine is Director of CIRCLE, The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (www.civicyouth.org). CIRCLE conducts and funds research on young people's civic education and participation. Levine is also a Research Scholar at the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy in the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy. He is chair of the executive committee of the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools and a member of the executive committee of the Deliberative Democracy Consortium. Levine's blog primarily covers topics related to youth civic engagement and deliberative democracy. (continue)

This 10-minute video serves as an introduction to public engagement in an education context, and illustrates how Choicework forums can be used to create civil and productive community conversations involving diverse participants. (continue)

Anyone who's been to a high school or college has noted how students of the same race seem to stick together. Beverly Daniel Tatum has noticed it too, and she doesn't think it's so bad. As she explains in this provocative book, these students are in the process of establishing and affirming their racial identity. As Tatum sees it, blacks must secure a racial identity free of negative stereotypes. The challenge to whites, on which she expounds, is to give up the privilege that their skin color affords and to work actively to combat injustice in society. (continue)

The People Speak (TPS) engages people of all ages and backgrounds in thoughtful discussions about the value of international cooperation for the U.S. and the world. From September 1 to November 30 each year, TPS partners organize thousands of events around the U.S. and the world to explore emerging global challenges and opportunities. (continue)

Many educators, parents and researchers agree that high quality "school readiness" programs can help youngsters be more successful later on in school and in life. But preschool programs vary widely in quality. How can we make sure that all preschool programs provide safe and enriching environments that do a good job preparing children for school? In other words, how can we make sure all preschool programs are of the highest possible quality? This Citizen ChoiceWork Guide (and video) from Public Agenda presents three approaches: fund programs more adequately and equitably; create standards and accountability; and give parents more choice. Available in video and print format. (continue)

This wiki is an effort to foster dialogue between people committed to the idea that a high school diploma means everything to both individuals and communities. A wiki is a type of website that any user can add, edit, or remove information from -- we built the basic website and have handed it over to anyone interested in sharing what they know about the dropout crisis. With categories ranging from alternative education to incentives, from literacy clubs to mentorship, and from parenting education to teen pregnancy, this resource offers numerous opportunities for users to learn from, and contribute to, dialogue on this pressing issue. (continue)

What should be the focus of education? What should be the reigning function of our schools? We examine three different school boards and their priorities: prepare students for success in the job market; widen students' horizons and help them develop a love of learning; and educate students to be responsible citizens. This Citizen ChoiceWork Guide (and video) was developed for community conversations, classrooms, study groups, and individuals. (continue)

In this pilot study, many teachers and school administrators reported that the possibility of being sued or accused of abuse is ever present in their minds. Avoiding suits and fulfilling due process requirements is a time-consuming part of a principal or superintendent's job and many feel the requirements give unreasonable people a chance to get their way. Yet many educators say protecting children from abuse is a higher priority than reducing the threat of litigation. (continue)

The Institute for Civility in Government is a grassroots, non-partisan, nonprofit organization which works to reduce polarization in society by focusing on the very public civility (or lack of it!) in the governing process. The Institute facilitates dialogue, teaches respect, and promotes civility. A membership organization, the Institute holds Congressional Student Forums and offers trainings in civility and advocacy. Not a think tank, and not a watch dog organization, we serve as a catalyst for change - an absolutely unique citizen movement. (continue)