HGSE: Schools and America’s 250th: Patriotism, Pluralism, and Civic Education | Askwith Education Forum

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, questions about democracy, belonging, and civic responsibility are taking on renewed urgency. What role should schools play in preparing young people to engage thoughtfully with the nation’s history, its pluralism, and its democratic ideals, especially amid polarization and deep disagreement?

This Askwith Education Forum convenes scholars and practitioners for a timely national conversation on civic education and dialogue across differences, exploring how schools can foster informed patriotism, democratic participation, and mutual understanding in a complex civic landscape.

Moderator: Eric Soto-Shed, Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Speakers:

• Danielle Allen, James Bryant Conant University Professor, Harvard University; Professor of Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education; and Founding Director, Democratic Knowledge Project
• Aimee Rogstad Guidera, Residential Fellow Spring 2026, Institute of Politics, Harvard Kennedy School; former Secretary of Education, Commonwealth of Virginia
• Jessica Lander, 2023 MA History Teacher of the Year, Author, and Director of Practice and Policy at Re-Imagining Migration

Event Attendance & Registration

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An invitation to speak at the Harvard Graduate School of Education does not imply an endorsement of the speaker’s views or values by HGSE, Harvard University, or members of its community.

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