Inclusive education is more essential than ever for navigating the opportunities and challenges of our increasingly diverse democracy.

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October 24, 2023


** How Does Inclusive Education Benefit Society?
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“Democracy cannot be sustained, let alone flourish, in the 21st century without open and robust spaces for rational discussion and analysis about our different experiences and viewpoints. This is an essential reason why inclusive education is crucial to our basic self-interests and our collective success. Our schools must furnish a diverse platform to teach all students how to intellectually navigate a world full of profound challenges and an assortment of competing ideas, perspectives, cultures, religions, languages and philosophies.” —Gregory M. Anderson, Ph.D.
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The Promise of Inclusive Education

In this time of heated national debate about diversity and inclusion, an inescapable fact remains: Rapid demographic changes—among and within groups of people—are redefining our society. We have an opportunity to build a truly representative democracy that reflects our increasingly diverse country.

That’s precisely why inclusive education is so important in this moment, writes professor of education Gregory M. Anderson in this article for Learning for Justice magazine ([link removed]) . Inclusive education builds critical thinking—the intellectual tools for reflection, continuous inquiry, constructive dialogue and the possibility of changing one’s perspective—and functions as an essential lever for democracy. It will be impossible to achieve a diverse democracy without a solid understanding of how to engage in and learn from productive dialogues about our differences, and those dialogues should start in schools.
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** Educating for Democracy
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Research shows a striking lack of knowledge among adults in the United States about the function and purpose of the nation’s government and democracy, revealing a significant need for effective civics education. But surface-level civics classes are not enough, writes Anthony Conwright in this LFJ article ([link removed]) . To meet the needs of our moment, civics education must connect history with present experiences to help students develop their ability to critically analyze the ethics of political institutions at the local, state and national levels.

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** Let's Talk!
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Difficult conversations require courage and skill, but educators cannot shirk their crucial role in helping students talk openly about the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of social inequality and discrimination. LFJ’s guide Let’s Talk! Facilitating Critical Conversations With Students ([link removed]) can help. Let’s Talk! offers classroom-ready strategies educators can use to plan discussions and facilitate tough conversations with students.

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** Teaching Mindful Media Consumption
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October 25, 2023 - 3:30 p.m. CDT
Join Learning for Justice for a webinar ([link removed]) on critical media consumption! With experts in the field from IREX and Columbia (Missouri) Public Schools, you will be introduced to media literacy concepts and how they can be used to resist manipulative information. In addition, the webinar will highlight real-world implementation models and resources for you to bring to your practice. This panel discussion will allow for real-time dialogue with expert co-hosts; you don’t want to miss it! Register now. ([link removed])

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** Virtual Open-Enrollment Workshops
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Learning for Justice is excited to offer 90-minute, interactive, virtual, open-enrollment workshops. Unpacking the Social Justice Standards will introduce participants to the LFJ Social Justice Standards. Let’s Talk will use the Let’s Talk! guide to provide participants the opportunity to learn strategies for creating supportive learning environments that encourage risk-taking. And Speak Up at School will provide strategies that educators and students can use to interrupt bias and injustice. Learn more and register today. ([link removed])
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** What We’re Reading
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Deepa Iyer’s Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection ([link removed]) offers guidance for individuals and groups seeking to enact positive social change. Readers identify the role they might play within the social change ecosystems framework. Each of the 10 roles is described in clear detail, with thoughtful reflection prompts for readers to consider and actions they can take to connect with others and build a more just and equitable society. (Adult Readers)

“Social Change Now is a practical guide for anyone seeking to create a more equitable society.” —Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn, LFJ staff

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