The National Task Force on Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement. A crucible moment: College learning and democracy’s future. Association of American Colleges and Universities, Washington, DC, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-9827850-5-8. Pages: 115.

This report was written at the invitation of the US Department of Education, which awarded a contract to the Global Perspective Institute, Inc. (GPI) and a subcontract to the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU). GPI and AACU thus led a year-long “national dialogue and analysis” focused on assessing the current state of education for democracy in higher education and producing a “national call to action” in this area. The report takes as its point of departure that the American education system at all levels “must serve our nation both as its economic engine and its wellspring for democracy”. Amongst other key elements, the publication explores why education for democratic citizenship matters, provides a brief historical overview of the subject in the US context, and outlines five “essential actions” for democracy’s future, from the American (educational) perspective.

Association of American Colleges and Universities