Superintendent Critchfield is right. Strong civics education in schools is essential.

But what is civics? And for that matter, what is learning? AI can give us the tiny fish of a definition or the standard Latin root for “civics” and some history… but actually having an education in civics is more about learning to fish for ourselves.

A great curriculum is great! Great teaching of great curriculum is great! But civics is the kind of animal that needs doing. When schools start and finish civics instruction with only school rules and booklearning, students never understand what the hardfought development of civics actually involves. And who among us as a kid hasn’t relished breaking arbitrary-feeling school rules and laughed about it? We want students to understand civics because we want good citizens who have a stake in our society.

Now, as we begin to reevaluate what the point of education really is …. because AI can read, write, math and think so much for us… civics standards and project-learning can become the backbone for much of the rest of academics. I want to make the case for project learning as a way for students to gain knowledge and understanding of theory through hands-on experiences.

Schools can take the time and reframe themselves as the microcosm of civic life that we want our students to be ready and willing to manage in the future. As AI gains ground on traditional education, we can focus more on helping students learn and work together. Everyone benefits from experiencing what AI is and what it isn’t, what it can and can’t do for us. Learning the difference between knowing, understanding, and wisdom through challenging real projects is civics. So, alongside solid civics curricula, clearing the path for kids to learn how to learn means placing some obstacles in their way as a basis for project-learning.

Sports can offer an analogy. In the right sports setting…

• Everyone has a shared objective that matters to them all and (ideally) inspiring and knowledgeable coaches who keep eyes on the prize
  • Personal friendship isn’t necessary for effective teamwork
• Distinct positions or roles to play that capitalize on the players’ individual strengths and bring new ideas and experiences to the whole team
  • Practice, practice, practice
  • Game-time!– bringing a greater level of autonomy, audience, and pressure
• Rules, parameters, and respected referees call the shots (even when players disagree)
• Team and individual data is used to systemetize, refine, and streamline practice for the next game

Imagine if schools applied these criteria to, for example, their kitchens and cafeterias and put teams of kids in charge of what to serve, how to make it, how to buy it, serving it, keeping order, cleaning up afterwards, and data collection on what works and what doesn’t? With educators providing support, everything we need to teach them to fish for themselves is there.

Of course, this type of learning takes a lot of time–and it means letting students make some pretty consequential mistakes from time to time. But the failures and success sink in for students when they own them. Also, there’s no better way to make the civics theory meaningful and engaging than to connect it to what students are experiencing.

Learning civics in America is all about balancing individual ambitions and desires with the common good. It’s about achieving balance in determining the processes of getting community work done. The common good can’t be at the expense of the good of the individual–or individuals won’t be motivated to participate and contribute at their highest level…. individual sacrifice to the communal effort needs to balance with dividends. So, it’s constant tension and discussion as the effort for balance and progress continues. We balance competition and collaboration. And especially important for students is learning that effective leadership is more than a popularity contest.

Honestly, as algorithms, AI, disappearing budgets, controversial curricula, and the heavy hand of an anti-education federal government loom ever more ominous and omnipresent, it’s gratifying to remember that we have anchors to hang onto that ground us in reality. Thankfully, things that are truly worth understanding and doing, like civics, always demand more of our brains and hearts than can be AI-simulated or packaged for easy consumption.