“We hope that parents, students, teachers, school administrators, and all interested community members will join us for this important discussion about the mission of our public schools. Public deliberations like this one can be a starting point for important community conversations,” said Erika Mason-Imbody, Project Coordinator for Kansas State University's Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy.
The forum titled, “What Is the 21st Century Mission for Our Public Schools?” will present three possible options for participants to consider as a discussion starter:
1) Prepare Students fo Be Successful in the Workplace
2) Prepare Students to Be Active and Responsible Citizens
3) Help Students Discover and Develop Their Talents
Participants will work in small groups to discuss the approaches and provide input. Each group will be led by trained facilitators and use an issue discussion guide. In closing, the small groups will engage in a larger discussion comparing notes.
Forum participants work through the issue by considering each approach; examining what appeals to them or concerns them, and also what the costs, consequences, and trade offs may be that would be incurred in following that approach.
This forum is a partnership of the Kettering Foundation, National Issues Forums Institute and the Presidential Libraries network of the National Archives and Records Administration.
RSVPs are requested and can be made on Facebook or by calling 785.263.6700.