The cradle of citizenship : how schools can help save our democracy / James Traub.
| Author/creator | Traub, James author. |
| Format | Book |
| Edition | First edition. |
| Publication | New York, NY : W.W. Norton & Company, [2026] |
| Copyright Date | ©2026 |
| Description | 290 pages ; 24 cm |
| Subjects |
| Contents | Introduction: Why civics matters -- Civics without knowledge -- How history became social studies, and meat became meatloaf -- Beautiful content: the model of the classical school -- 1619 v. 1776: the war over the American past -- Hamilton on the stage and in the classroom -- The history wars in a purple state -- You realize that everyone has reasons for what they think -- The one true curriculum--or, failing that, a "roadmap" -- The new vision struggles to be born -- In Florida, American history is what the governor says it is -- In Minneapolis, there is only racism and antiracism -- Great books can set you free -- The war over African American studies: two irreconcilable narratives -- Culturally responsive teaching -- Mrs. Hopfer's history catechism -- What is to be done? |
| Abstract | "A sharp critique of our failure to teach civics effectively and a roadmap to a better way. Schools make citizens. Yet the typical American student is stunningly ignorant of history and government: In 2022, the National Assessment of Educational Progress found that only 20 percent scored a 'proficient' level in civics. In The Cradle of Citizenship, James Traub chronicles a year of observing public schools across the country, mapping the polarized pedagogical landscape that fails to teach in-depth civics knowledge-of the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the country's founding, and more. Traub examines the history of civic education, the debates between partisans of the 1619 Project and 1776 Report, and the state of Florida's 'war on 'woke'.' He also finds sources of hope, both in new attempts to bridge the ideological divide and in more traditional forms of instruction that emphasize knowledge and promote deep engagement with works of history and literature. The Cradle of Citizenship combines a withering critique of conventional schooling with a vision of civics education as it should be"-- Provided by publisher. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (pages 263-274) and index. |
| ISBN | 9781324079514 (hardcover) |
| ISBN | 1324079517 (hardcover) |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | General Stacks | LC89 .T73 2026 | ✔ Available | Place Hold |