Education experts say the 2024 election can teach students about democracy, decency

By Sydney Brown/Kent State NewsLab

As the nation transitions to a new administration, educators shift conversations from politics to explore shared understanding in classrooms. Experts at Kent State University say elections provide a valuable opportunity to discuss current events, challenge assumptions and encourage students to find common ground in classrooms.

B. Scott Durham, an assistant professor in Kent State’s School of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Studies, believes elections deserve thoughtful exploration in classrooms at all levels.

“These are real things that make a real impact on people,” Durham said. 

Even young students are aware of political discord, said Rebecca Catto, an associate professor in Kent State’s Department of Sociology and Criminology.

“They do feel that tension,” Catto said.

As students navigate the complexities of modern politics and rhetoric, studies show that children as young as four begin incorporating the values they hear into their lives, said Elizabeth Kenyon, an associate professor of social studies education at KSU.

“What can you do? You can be kind. You can care about people,” Kenyon said.

Educators say their goal is to equip students with the tools to understand democracy and grow into informed citizenship. 

“This country has always been far from perfect, so how are we continuing to battle toward something better?” Kenyon said. 

This story was originally published by the Kent State NewsLab, a collaborative news outlet publishing journalism by Kent State students.