What Kind of Citizen?

2024 Greater Good Magazine Favorite Books for Educators

As democracy faces increasing struggles around the globe, there has never been a more important time to talk about civic education and the core democratic purposes of schooling. What Kind of Citizen? asks readers to imagine the society they would like to live in and then shows how schools can make that vision a reality. This updated edition responds to the many challenges that have occurred since this book was first published, such as a global pandemic, social justice protests, a rise in autocratic leaders, anti-woke laws, and more. Westheimer brings his now-classic text up to date with groundbreaking analyses of current policies, including those in Florida, Texas, and Arizona; standardized testing; prohibitions on teaching about race and racism; plus a new section on teacher education. There are many ways to teach children and young adults to engage critically with their world, but instead teachers are forced to test-prep for a narrow set of academic subjects. This book shows readers how schools can get back on track by creating more engaging, more democratic learning.

Book Features:

• A comprehensive look at why schools should be at the forefront of public engagement and how we can make that happen.
• A framework that has been used in 67 countries to help teachers and school reformers structure educational programs that strengthen democratic societies.
• Research-based guidance for aligning school goals with what parents, children, and teachers actually care about.
• Accessible and engaging discussions gleaned through consultations with thousands of school teachers and civic leaders.
• Empirical research from one of the most influential frameworks for citizenship and democratic education, “Three Kinds of Citizens,” which emerged from a collaboration between the author and Dr. Joseph Kahne.

Joel Westheimer is professor of the social foundations of education, former university research chair in democracy and education at the University of Ottawa, and the education columnist for CBC Radio’s Ottawa Morning show. He is the editor of Pledging Allegiance: The Politics of Patriotism in America's Schools.

“The significance of this book is underscored by the increasingly authoritarian, dare I say, fascist indicators that we are seeing throughout the world. . . . To build real democracies we need real citizens. This book shares the practical steps we must take.”
—From the Foreword by Gloria Ladson-Billings, professor emerita, University of Wisconsin–Madison

"Joel Westheimer’s call for a critical approach to citizenship education remains more important than ever. In this second edition, Westheimer addresses the flirtations with authoritarianism that have occurred in Western democratic nations in recent years and argues, correctly, that a renewed focus on civic education is necessary for the preservation of democracy around the world. What Kind of Citizen? remains essential reading for those with a vested interest in the health of both K–12 education and the broader democratic society it serves."
—Wayne Journell, professor, University of North Carolina at Greensboro and editor, Theory and Research in Social Education

“This second edition of What Kind of Citizen? arrives at a time when many of the warnings from the first edition are coming to fruition. Westheimer provides a playbook for consciously engaging in a revisioning of and investment in civic education toward the goal of providing opportunities in schools and communities for young people to develop as highly engaged citizens working for the common good. Westheimer does not shy away from the complexities and challenges that stand in the way of what he proposes and, instead, asks us to critically examine the nature of schooling, the standardization of curriculum, and the politics of public education as the central goal for how education can play a vital role in a pluralistic democracy.”
—Jeremy Stoddard, professor, Department of Curriculum & Instruction, University of Wisconsin–Madison

PRAISE FOR THE FIRST EDITION—

“A timely and important book that will prove valuable to a wide audience…. a valuable addition to teacher education programs that seek to challenge preservice teachers to understand themselves as stewards of democracy and justice.”
—Democracy & Education

“Highly recommended for anyone interested in ‘reconnecting education to democracy’… (Westheimer’s) constant connection with everyday experiences makes the reading very pleasurable, and reminds readers of the important place of emotion in education and politics.”
—Education Review

"This book will have anyone with a vested interest in the future citizens of our world pausing to question the education system as we know it…A good read for teachers in need of some inspiration or for anyone looking for more insight into education in America."
—Green Teacher Magazine

"Westheimer has written a play for the masses: well written, fast paced and full of easy to follow anecdotes and examples drawn from his long experience as an educator and researcher."
—Citizenship, Teaching & Learning

"The message of this short and accessible book is that it is vital for schools to resist the pressures of standardization and offer educational spaces where young people can learn about what it means to be a citizen in a democratic society. "
—Philosophical Inquiry in Education

Contents (final)

Foreword Gloria Ladson-Billings  xi
Preface  xv

Introduction  1

1.  Changing the Narrative of School  5
The Script in Place  5
What Archeem Taught Me About Teaching  7

2.  No Child Left Thinking  11
Teaching Questioning—Essential for Schools in Democratic Societies  12
The Attack on Critical Thinking  14
Not Just Race, Any Contested Material  16

3.  No Teacher Left Teaching  21
Standardization: A Solution in Search of a Problem  22
Teacher Education in the Age of Standards and Accountability  26
De-Professionalization and the New Hypocrisy  27

4.  How Did This Happen?  31
What Gets Tested Gets Taught  32
The Test Scores That Ate Humanity  34
Reclaiming the Profession: Teacher Professionalism and Democratic Thinking  36

5.  What Kind of Citizen?  40
Three Kinds of Citizens  42
An Interlude for Reflection  46
The Many Faces of “Good” Citizenship  47

6.  Personally Responsible Citizens  50
Why Personal Responsibility Is Not Enough  50
Are Evaluations Asking the Wrong Questions?  53

7.  Participatory and Social Justice–Oriented Citizens  57
Participatory Citizens: The Madison County Youth Service League  59
Justice-Oriented Citizens: Bayside Students for Justice  64
The Importance of Recognizing Different Conceptions of Citizenship  71
The Influence of Community Context  74
Pursuing Dual Goals  75

8.  Thinking, Engaged Citizens  76
Connecting Learning to Social and Civic Goals  77
Scaling Up: Regional and National Programs  86
Scaling Down: Thinking About a Thinking Curriculum  87
Engaging with the Community  91

9.  Six Myths About Education  93
Myth 1. National Standards Ensure Quality Education  93
Myth 2. Dissent Should Be Medicated  94
Myth 3. The Only Way to Teach Democratic Thinking Is to Make the Entire School Democratic  96
Myth 4. When It Comes to Community-Based Experiences, Knowledge Must Always Precede Action (You Have to Know Stuff Before You Do Stuff)  99
Myth 5. Teachers Who Care About Whether Students Can Think for Themselves Don’t Care About Facts or Basic Skills  100
Myth 6. Community-Based Experiences Must Be Successful  101

10.  What Kind of School?  105
Acknowledgments  113
Notes  117
Index  131
About the Author  139

2024 Greater Good Magazine Favorite Books for Educators