In short, most students don't learn ethics at a chronological age at which, just like foreign language skills, the teachable moments arise at the best possible ages, making learning reflexive -- almost automatic.

In an ironic twist, public school leaders in the nation's capital are considering allowing its high school students to graduate without taking an adva...

Such ideas may seem academic. But in fact the idea of civil society illustrates the power of framing concepts to structure resources, define the meaning of citizenship, and organize education.

Effective citizens are sophisticated consumers of information. They ask hard questions about the issues facing their community, state, and nation. All of these behaviors are learned, not innate.

As voters head to the polls today, groups of younger, not-quite-18 voters are taking part in democratic elections of their own. At a time when stud...

In a push to encourage voter turnout, Manhattan Country School's 5- and 6-year-olds are asking you to "Vote for Me Until I Can." "I would like to b...

This piece comes to us courtesy of New Haven Independent. A week before voters go to the polls, the two opposing campaigns squared off on a questio...

American ideas are important, an essential element for charting our future. Unfortunately, we may be losing our ability to discern quality debate.

Where are the lessons of responsible citizenship? Where is the citizens' manual? Civic responsibility is not innate. It must be learned, and so it must be taught.

It is election time again and as many of us use the moment in the teaching of government, political science, rhetoric, and history I hope we all remember what it means to be a teacher.

I am fed up with teacher-bashing. It seems everyone is willing to belittle teachers. But these same critics are not willing to step forward and do the job themselves.

Without a strong American commitment to a quality education, it is no surprise that Rick Perry, a son of this education system, cannot recall government agencies.

Despite a past of educating children to be capable and engaged citizens, too many of our schools are now failing at their civic mission. When less than one third of American eighth graders can identify the historical purpose of the Declaration of Independence, we have a problem.

Washington (CNN) -- If there's a student anywhere who would be able to answer a trivia question about President Abraham Lincoln, it would be on the ma...

The National Assessment of Education Progress revealed that in 2010, just 7 percent of eighth graders could correctly identify the three branches of g...

Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has launched a series of videogames that teach kids about government. She talks to Danielle Friedman ...

NEW YORK -- Can you name the three branches of the American government, their powers, and how other branches limit their powers? If so, you have a leg...