Since September 11, Americans have demonstrated a renewed sense of patriotism. And many are calling for public schools to make sure they capture this moment of opportunity to educate their diverse student body for American citizenship.

This report explores the issues behind that expectation. Recent data suggest that students are increasingly disengaged from community and a sense of civic responsibility. Yet the public and educators themselves still see public education and democracy going hand in hand, and agree that young people need to learn about American democracy and traditions. Differences arise, however, over precisely how schools ought to approach questions of patriotism, dissent, individualism, cultural identity, and civic responsibility.

A key question is how well prepared California’s schools are to balance the promotion of tolerance and appreciation for diversity in cultures and views with the development of a superordinate loyalty to the United States. This report looks at California’s state curriculum framework and assessment system and the extent to which educating for civic responsibility ultimately depends on the skill, attitude, and initiative of local educators.