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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

educational qualities, public good, democracy, democratic educational qualities

College

David O. McKay School of Education

Department

Instructional Psychology and Technology

Abstract

Democracy is a political orientation that is struggling to survive in certain aspects of the current educational society. This project was developed to answer the question, “What are some current educational qualities that are either supporting or undermining the public good for our future democracy?” The identification of supporting and undermining democratic educational qualities is critical. Democratic educational qualities require further qualitative and quantitative research for effective adjustment of educational goals and curriculum for preparing students to enter and contribute to a democratic society. Shaker and Heilmen (2008) compiled a summary of educational qualities that support the public good in a democracy and those that undermine the public good in a democracy. The seven educational qualities identified include: aims, orientation to power, orientation to knowledge, social orientation, orientation to diversity, measure of success, and orientation to change. This project sought to identify a few of these democratic educational qualities and explore to what degree students in a public schooling setting are perceived to be learning the skills critical to enter and contribute to a democratic society. This project asked the parents of 28 4th grade students questions that targeted student development towards the qualities of orientation to knowledge, social orientation, measure of success and orientation to power.

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