Insights
Number 9, October 1999
In this issue
Speak Up! Engaging Policymakers with Educators and Communities in Deliberative Dialogue

Scenario: A Community Deliberates

What is Deliberative Dialogue?

What Are Some Deliberative Dialogue Models?

What Might Deliberative Dialogue Offer to Policymakers, Educators, and the Public?

Understanding Community Concerns and Needs

Gaining Support for Education

Involving Parents and Community in the Schools

Implementation Issues to Consider

Conclusion

References & Credits

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory

Insights | Speak Up! Engaging Policymakers with Educators and Communities in Deliberative Dialogue | Conclusion

Conclusion

by Julia Guzman

Initiating a deliberative dialogue effort may not be the solution for every community wrestling with an issue. To plan and implement it successfully will require work, time, resources, and especially the willingness and enthusiasm of the people involved. For it to be a uniquely
valuable experience, participants will need to explore the topic they discuss at a deeper level than they usually do and with others whose perspectives significantly differ from their own.

Implemented successfully, a deliberative dialogue program on education can help bring educators, policymakers, and members of the general public together with a common goal of ensuring that children receive the best education possible.Deliberative dialogue may be the key to breaking existing adversarial or passive traditions of dealing with difficult education topics. From the dialogue, participants may find themselves developing new relationships and perspectives, and they may approach problem solving with a new enthusiasm and eagerness to get involved with the education of their young people.


Send article to a friend
PDF of this edition of Insights
Printer-friendly
SEDL Home  
archive contact search
©2009 SEDL