Practicing Democracy in Communities

Exploring How Communities Strengthen Civic Engagement

Democracy is and always has been a work in progress that needs continuous attention and engagement. The work of those who are committed to democracy is to take informed action that improves society and strengthens democracy and to hold our elected leaders accountable. To do this effectively takes engaged learning in classroom and community settings.

The founders of the American republic considered preparation for democracy, in fact, to be the core purpose of schools. Over time, that vision for schools has been lost.

Loyola University Chicago’s School of Education with the support of a 5-year, $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education is working to support civic learning in our neighborhood public schools on Chicago’s northeast side in order to support the development of informed, engaged, passionate citizens who are developing their civic knowledge, skills, dispositions, and habits. Practicing Democracy in Communities (PDC) partners with schools and community organizations in Edgewater, Lake View, Rogers Park, and Uptown

OUR VISION

Build and support a system of civic education and participation that is rooted in and supported by community and strengthens the civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions of young people to support their active engagement in democracy.

Framework

Teacher Support

Student Opportunities

Community Partners

Our goals:

Support Civic Education Teachers through communities of practice, professional development, one-on-one consultation, and coaching.
Provide External Civic Learning Opportunities for participating students throughout the school year and summer including Model UN, Elect 2024 Simulation, Dialogue!, Speak Up Democracy, Youth Exchange Program, Meetings with Elected Officials, Museum Visits, Student Voice Committees, and Summer Civic Leadership Internships.
Engage Community Partners to create a network of opportunities and support for high school and middle school teachers and students to participate in authentic civic learning opportunities.

Practicing Democracy in Communities is a 5-year, $3.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education at Loyola University Chicago. The grant provides teachers and students the resources necessary to become civically engaged in their local community.

An essential part of the PDC grant is teacher support. Katie Mahoney is a civics teacher from Lakeview High School who participated in a training session and shared her thoughts on why this topic is so important in Chicago here.

Practicing Democracy in Communities (PDC)

PDC works with four neighborhood-based public high schools and four middle schools in Uptown, Edgewater, and Rogers Park: Senn High School, Sullivan High School, Amundsen High School, Lakeview High School, McCutcheon Elementary, Goudy Elementary, Hayt Elementary, and Ravenswood Elementary.