Journal of Educational Controversy

OUR YOUTUBE VIDEOS FROM JECWWU CHANNEL -- 49 videos

Monday, July 30, 2012

In Memory: Richard “Dick” Clark 1936-2012

I was saddened to hear of Dick Clark’s passing on July 6th. I saw Dick just last month at the conference of the National League of Democratic Schools in Seattle, a network of schools across the nation, started by John Goodlad, that has been a laboratory for democratic practices. The Journal of Educational Controversy and its partner school in the Educational Institute for Democratic Renewal have been part of the movement since 2004 and we have written about it many times on this blog.

Dick shared his thoughts along with John Goodlad and stayed for some two hours. His voice was strong and his arguments compelling even while his body was weak. He fought the good fight right to the end and will be missed. I have a link on my blog to the blog, Community and Education, that he had been writing over the years as well as a special link to "Washington Happenings" where he followed the significant events in our state. It was very helpful for my readers. Dick believed in the public purposes of education and kept arguing for a democratic vision right to the end. We hope to continue his concerns in the media and in the public debate. Indeed, Dick’s call for scholars to advance the Agenda for Democracy is echoed in our journal’s mission to bring scholars in their capacity as public intellectuals into conversation with the public and its legislators.

Dick’s last post on his blog was an inspiring message to those committed to the League’s Agenda for Democracy. We reprint it here so Dick’s voice will continue through our readers.

Make AED [Agenda for Democracy] Scholars an Organizing Center

By Dick Clark

Can the AED Scholars Become an Organizing Center?

The Institute works to advance the Agenda for Education in a Democracy. This Agenda consists of a four-part mission, a set of strategies to achieve that mission, and conditions that are necessary to carry out the strategies.
The agenda is mission driven and research based. It seeks to:
• Foster in the nation's young the skills, attitudes, and knowledge necessary for effective participation in a social and political democracy.

• Ensure that all youths have access to those understandings and skills required for satisfying and responsible lives regardless of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or birth language.

• Develop and provide continuing support to educators who nurture the learning and well being of every student.

• Ensure that educators are competent and committed to serving as stewards of their schools.
To accomplish this mission, schools and universities seek simultaneous renewal of schools and the education of educators.  They do so by putting in place the conditions necessary to renewing the nation's schools and its democracy.
There is little doubt about the commitment to the Agenda for Education in a Democracy among the AED scholars. I suspect we live out that commitment everyday and in every aspect of our work. The question before us, as I understand it, is not about commitment to the work of furthering the Agenda, but about whether or not we, as a group of scholars, want to be an organizing center for its promotion. Surely we are all enmeshed in a web of groups and institutions that occupy all of our waking hours (and some of our sleeping hours as well). We endeavor to exercise responsible influence on the groups and institutions within our spheres.

For me thus far, belonging to AED Scholars has been an honor. I feel privileged to be in the company of so many gifted, ethical and like-minded educators. It gives me some measure of comfort to know that others are doing the work to which we have a collective commitment. However, I do not feel as though I have been a very good steward of the agenda beyond my own personal actions day to day. That is to say, I feel that I have promoted democratic ideals whenever and wherever possible, but have not deliberately or publically connected them to AED. Very few people who have read my scholarship or with whom I interact day to day understand that my behavior is motivated by AED. Perhaps one of the best things we can do as AED scholars is make our commitment more public. It would not be a small thing to agree to use a common symbol of our work that acknowledges our group, one that links us to the agenda and to one another.

How are linked? What kind of relationships exist among the AED scholars? Thus far we have been primarily a community of ideals, not so much a community of place or even a discourse community (in the sense that we share scholarship on a regular basis). The AED scholars may not feel that it’s necessary to draw together as yet another freestanding entity. Do we wish to add to the current constellation of groups and institutions to which we belong? I would argue that we do need to draw together, that we do need to be an organizing center and that we do need to become a strong community of mind. We need to be so simply because our mission is to further the agenda. I once asked John [Goodlad] what he meant when he used this phrase, for he uses it quite often. What does it mean to further the Agenda? Does it mean further develop the agenda or does it mean to better disseminate the Agenda? John was pretty clear that he meant the latter. If that is so, it implies enlisting others to share our values and see the world, and what is important in it, as we do. If you follow that reasoning, then the AED Scholars’ role would be to formulate an identity and expand our influence. We would go as many other organizations have gone – increase our membership, accumulate resources, undertake “missionary” work, mentor new scholars into this group, become better known. Surely we know how to do this. The question is, do we have the will?

I can think of six strategies for pulling a group such as ours together: 1. Write a text in which we each take responsibility for a section or chapter. 2. Convene together to present papers and discuss ways to support one another. 3. Make presentations about aspects of the agenda at state and national meetings. 4. Create a virtual community using all of the tools available to us on the World Wide Web. 5. Band together with other groups and organizations that share our values. 6. Construct a common syllabus and see that it gets institutionalized in our college or university.

I am sorry that I do not have more imaginative suggestions. The key in making this group more viable is for those of us involved to make a conscious pledge to devote a portion of every week/month/year to furthering the agenda through collaborating together. I look forward to seeing other ideas and suggestions.

Posted by Dick Clark at 11:54 AM June 23, 2012

87 comments:

London Centre said...

Great post.. i really enjoyed reading it.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Lorraine for posting your memorial to Dick. He was such a humble, wise and effective leader for the League of Democratic Schools of which I was a member since its inception. I so appreciated his combination of humor and seriousness. His history of being a warrior for democratic principles within the public school system for so many years was an inspiration. He will be missed.
Susan Donnelly

Anonymous said...

Hi

Tks very much for post:

I like it and hope that you continue posting.

Let me show other source that may be good for community.

Source: Special education teacher interview questions

Best rgs
David

Unknown said...

This stuff is down t earth, hats off buds out there.
http://www.write-essay.org/

SurveyTool said...

I want to thank you for providing this useful information about web services!

http://www.surveytool.com/training-survey/

Anonymous said...

Wasp dudes! Awesome stuff keep it up.
scholarships for high school seniors 2012

Unknown said...

Fantastic work man, keep your heads high you did it.converting PDF to EPUB

agen sbobet said...

Fantastic work man, keep your heads high you did it.phlebotomy certification online

Unknown said...

I wana thank you for providing instructive and qualitative stuff so often.
Full Herbal Bath Article

Unknown said...

I am really thankful to all your squad for sharing specified inspirational substance.
Go to Herbal Bath

Anonymous said...

You completely match our expectation and the variety of our information. More about Yu Eyut Ex

Anonymous said...

The knowledge on your website never confuses me Visit Onks Design

Anonymous said...

Thumbs up guys you are really carrying out a great job.
Go to W Terg

Unknown said...

I guess I haven’t read such unique material anywhere else online.
Good Relationship With D Glaa

Anonymous said...

Keep the balls rolling!! Nice posts you have given for us.
Relationship with Economy Fence

Anonymous said...

I got this blog site through my friends and when I searched this really there were informative articles at the place.Click Hnn X size Link

Anonymous said...

I have never been to such type of posts before truly remarkable stuff it has.
instant payday loans online

Avocet Steel said...

I absolutely respect and appreciate your point on each and every object.
payday loans online no credit check

Unknown said...

I am truly appreciative to the owner of this website who has shared this nice article at this wonderful place. Discover Hongen 88

Anonymous said...

Quality stuff may be the key to invite the users to visit begin to see the blog site, that’s what this site provides.

Go to T2 Studio HK

Unknown said...

The superb highly informative blog I’m about to share this with all my contacts.
Read More about Vuln DB

Avocet Steel said...

Your articles are very well written and unique.
ppi reclaim

Avocet Steel said...

Your articles support me a lot in all mediums of subjects.
ppi claim

Anonymous said...

Your way to enlighten everything on this blog is actually pleasant, everyone manage to efficiently be familiar with it, Thanks a great deal.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I really need the information more as you have provided in this valuable blog. mis sold ppi

Unknown said...

I sent your articles links to all my contacts and they all adore it including me. payday loans online

Anonymous said...

Great blogs buddy……… this will definitely assist me.

genital warts treatment

Unknown said...

I am surely coming again for more contents of yours.
mentholeliquid

Unknown said...

That’s really a nice one, I have seen many blogs but they are outdated so I’m pleased to see this blog now. insurance rates for cars

Unknown said...

Superb way of explaining, and great blog to get wonderful information. ppi refund

Unknown said...

I'd like to take the power of thanking you for that specialized guidance I've constantly enjoyed viewing your blog. http://www.ppirefundscompany.co.uk

Unknown said...

Pretty remarkable post. I simply came across your blog and desired to say that I have really enjoyed searching your blog posts. cheap auto insurance

fortnite said...

hi 31

Unknown said...

Your content is shows potential, m gona add this to my bookmarks. Gi Mongolia Website

Anonymous said...

I would be pleased if all WebPages provided such articles. |Welcome to Corap ANP

Anonymous said...

Your blogs and every separate material are so remarkable and lucrative it makes me come back most again. Relationship with Rural Turis

Anonymous said...

Your blogs and every separate material are so remarkable and lucrative it makes me come back most again. Relationship with Rural Turis

Anonymous said...

I really like this enthusiastic job you are doing folks. Relationship Tips by Screenplay Analysis Workbook

Unknown said...

The groups not reading your blogs are missing out a lot of caliber material. Relationship Advice by Qishen Gwuliu

Unknown said...

The groups not reading your blogs are missing out a lot of caliber material. Relationship Advice by Qishen Gwuliu

Unknown said...

The groups not reading your blogs are missing out a lot of caliber material. Relationship with Happiness Qoutes

Unknown said...

The groups not reading your blogs are missing out a lot of caliber material. Relationship Advice by Qishen Gwuliu

Unknown said...

You guys make it really easy for all the folks out there.
Wat Time Relationship Tips

Unknown said...

You people have actually provided the best blogs that are easy to understand for the folks.
http://virtelco.com

Anonymous said...

Awe-inspiring blogs, I love reading your articles. online payday loans

Web Developers Bangalore said...

I believe this really is excellent information. Most of men and women will concur with you and I ought to thank you about it

Anonymous said...

I would surely give 10 on 10 for such incredible content. Auto insurance rate

Anonymous said...

Your work is totally appreciative and informative.
ppi compensation claims

Anonymous said...

I like all details that you provide in your articles.
Discover What is Document Management

Unknown said...

Hurrah, that’s what I was trying to get for, just what a stuff Presented at this blog!! Thanks admin of the site. Welcome to Foster and LLoyd

Unknown said...

Amazing stuff of the blogs!! That has amazed me.
Relationship Tips by SDJN 16Z

Unknown said...

You posting are wonderful and informative. Welcome to CAD Cam Corner

Unknown said...

Your articles make complete sense out of each topic. Welcome to Wachovia FTU

Unknown said...

The stuff you are writing blows out my mind. Welcome to Jeri Lee

Unknown said...

The quality of your blogs and articles and worth appreciating. Welcome to Canones Caza

Unknown said...

Your articles make complete sense out of each topic. Welcome to Unit PR

Unknown said...

Your articles make complete sense out of each topic. Welcome to Unit PR

buy eyeglasses said...

Have no fear of perfection ---- you’ll never reach it.

Anonymous said...

These are truly amongst the wonderful informative blogs.pirater facebook

Unknown said...

Pretty! It was really a wonderful blog. Thanks for the provided information. automobile insurance quotes

Unknown said...

Hey enormous stuff or pleasant information you are offering here. personal cash advance

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your beyond belief blogs stuff.infographics design

Unknown said...

congratulations guys, quality information you have given!!! good infographics

Anonymous said...

I think I have really come on the right place for getting the perfect info.automobile

Unknown said...

I have visited lots of the blogs but this blog is truthfully wonderful. infographic

Anonymous said...

I truly get pleasure from while I read your blogs and its content.
makulator

Anonymous said...

That’s really a nice one, I have seen many blogs but they are outdated so I’m pleased to see this blog now. learn german online for free

zacharyrizzuto said...

I really love your write-ups guys continue the good work.car insurance rates

2009 DREAM said...

The problem is that you provide may be worth our time and also effort.http://bonville.org/

Anonymous said...

An enormous round of applause, continue the great work. pirater un compte facebook

Unknown said...

I'd like to take the power of thanking you for that specialized guidance I've constantly enjoyed viewing your blog. comment pirater un compte facebook

youpak said...

It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! bubblegum casting

Unknown said...

Your site is for sure worth bookmarking. vietnam travel

Anonymous said...

If you really desire to get such type of information, visit this blog quickly.
anonymous vpn

Anonymous said...

It feels awe-inspiring to read such informative and distinctive articles on your websites.Visit Here

Unknown said...

You people have actually provided the best blogs that are easy to understand for the folks.essay

Unknown said...

I have looked for so several posts about the blog lovers except this post is of course a nice one, keep on.vietnam travel

Unknown said...

Woww!!! I totally got it in a well manner. Thanks keep on.vietnam holiday

Unknown said...

I love really this blog site because it provides me the big deal of superb information.
vietnam tour

Anonymous said...

I wonder why other professionals don’t notice your website much m glad I found this. adt security reviews

Anonymous said...

I guess this message is totally unparalleled. best remington shaver review

Anonymous said...

I would be supportive on all of your articles and blogs because they are just upto the mark. infographics

Anonymous said...

I like all details that you provide in your articles. blog post service

Unknown said...

I love to read and appreciate your work. tennis court maintenance

Unknown said...

I Love your articles guys keep it up. hajj packages

Anonymous said...

Great post. Your site is quite interesting and very well written.
Web Design Company Bangalore
Web Designing Bangalore
Web Designer Bangalore

Cheap Hajj Packages said...

Democracy should be implemented in every country. So that everyone can live freely and can freely use their opinion about government.
Umrah