Study Group Details
160: Public Education and the Future of American Democracy
Friday11:45 - 1:15
Starting March 06
In-Person
Public education in the United States has long been a pathway to opportunity and a cornerstone of our democracy. Today, however, the K–12 system faces mounting challenges: chronic absenteeism, declining reading levels, teacher shortages, book bans, restrictions on discussing LGBTQ issues, and attempts to sideline historical truths. Recent actions by the Trump Administration have further strained local school budgets, while a new federal tax credit for private school vouchers has heightened concerns about accelerating privatization. This course will examine these issues in the context of how public education works, the influence of partisan politics, enduring inequities, and the implications for our democracy’s future.
This study group is a repeat with revisions
Class Type: Discussion
Class Format: In-Person
Hours of Reading: No required reading
Study Group Leader(s):
Martin Blank
Michael Usdan and Martin Blank are former presidents of the Institute for Educational Leadership, with decades of experience in public education at the school, community, state, and national levels.
Michael UsdanMichael Usdan and Martin Blank are former presidents of the Institute for Educational Leadership, with decades of experience in public education at the school, community, state, and national levels.