IOE EPrints

Education for Democratic Citizenship: a review of research, policy and practice 1995-2005

Starkey, Hugh and Osler, Audrey (2006) Education for Democratic Citizenship: a review of research, policy and practice 1995-2005. Research Papers in Education, 21 (4). pp. 433-466. ISSN Print: 0267-1522 Online: 1470-1146

[img]
Preview
PDF (Education for democratic citizenship: a review of research, policy and practice 1995-2005)
Starkey_2006BERAreview433.pdf

Download (293Kb) | Preview
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02671520600942438

Abstract

This paper provides a synthesis of the scholarly literature on education for democratic citizenship (EDC) in the school sector in England since 1995. Following the publication of the Crick Report (QCA, 1998), citizenship education was introduced to secondary schools in 2002 as a statutory subject. Primary schools are also required to show, through inspection, how they are preparing learners for citizenship. The implementation of citizenship as a national curriculum subject in England is taking place during a period of constitutional reform and was the most significant innovation of curriculum 2000. Recent parallel initiatives in EDC are taking place elsewhere in the UK, in Europe and internationally. In both established democracies and newlyestablished democratic states, such as those of Eastern and Central Europe and Latin America, there is a recognition that democracy is essentially fragile and that it depends on the active engagement of citizens, not just in voting, but in developing and participating in sustainable and cohesive communities. The paper examines the role of EDC in responding to these political challenges, setting national policy developments in both European and international contexts and exploring the growing international consensus on human rights as the underpinning principles of EDC. It identifies some key themes within the research, such as diversity and unity; global and cosmopolitan citizenship; children as citizens; democratic schooling; students’ understandings of citizenship and democracy; the complementary roles of schools and communities; European citizenship; and the practicalities of implementing EDC at school level. It identifies some gaps in the research literature and concludes by proposing an on-going agenda for research.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: This is an electronic version of an article published in Starkey, Hugh and Osler, Audrey (2006) Education for Democratic Citizenship: a review of research, policy and practice 1995-2005. Research Papers in Education, 21 (4). pp. 433-466. Research Papers in Education is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02671520600942438
Uncontrolled Keywords: Citizenship Social inclusion globalization democratic schooling diversity human rights children’s rights Europe
Subjects: Departments > Arts and Humanities
Depositing User: IOE Repository Editor (2)
Date Deposited: 17 May 2010 11:28
Last Modified: 26 Jun 2012 22:34
URI: http://eprints.ioe.ac.uk/id/eprint/4698

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item