Earlier this month as part of our strategic planning process, we created a new mission statement: the mission of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is to develop productive, responsible, citizens who are prepared to be successful in a dynamic world. I am pleased with the new statement and feel that it nicely describes our purpose. One of the more interesting changes is the inclusion of the term citizen. While we all agreed that a part of our purpose is to develop citizens, it is clear that if we are to meet the intent of the statement, then we will likely have to do more. Our required half credit in US Government is probably not enough. For after all, unlike math or reading, we are not born with an aptitude for citizenship.
To be a productive citizen requires much more than understanding the separation of powers or the Bill of Rights. It includes actively participating in our democracy. If we are to facilitate this for our students, then we will have to help them develop a sense of civic purpose. Giving attention to events in American history that have extended liberty and equality will help do this. Requiring service learning from our students is another way to promote this purpose. As we look ahead to how we will meet our mission, it may be necessary to make some changes to our graduation requirements so that we can develop productive, responsible citizens. How would we measure whether our graduates are good citizens? Let’s begin with counting the number of graduates at the ballot box. A majority of graduates voting would be a start.
Developing Responsible Citizens
Earlier this month as part of our strategic planning process, we created a new mission statement: the mission of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is to develop productive, responsible, citizens who are prepared to be successful in a dynamic world. I am pleased with the new statement and feel that it nicely describes our purpose. One of the more interesting changes is the inclusion of the term citizen. While we all agreed that a part of our purpose is to develop citizens, it is clear that if we are to meet the intent of the statement, then we will likely have to do more. Our required half credit in US Government is probably not enough. For after all, unlike math or reading, we are not born with an aptitude for citizenship.
To be a productive citizen requires much more than understanding the separation of powers or the Bill of Rights. It includes actively participating in our democracy. If we are to facilitate this for our students, then we will have to help them develop a sense of civic purpose. Giving attention to events in American history that have extended liberty and equality will help do this. Requiring service learning from our students is another way to promote this purpose. As we look ahead to how we will meet our mission, it may be necessary to make some changes to our graduation requirements so that we can develop productive, responsible citizens. How would we measure whether our graduates are good citizens? Let’s begin with counting the number of graduates at the ballot box. A majority of graduates voting would be a start.