Citizenship Education in the United States: A Historical Perspective

This book presents a history of the ideas and activities of the American Political Science Association (APSA) in the field of citizenship education in public schools. Examining APSA’s evolving objectives and strategies in implementing citizenship education, Ahmad analyzes the complicated relationship between the teaching of government in the public schools and the APSA’s changing visions of citizenship education. By offering a narrative of political scientists’ ideas on citizenship and citizenship education, Ahmad reveals the impact of APSA’s worldview and official policies concerning pre-collegiate curriculum and instruction in citizenship education. By providing a comprehensive history of ASPA’s agenda and its implementation, this book sheds light on the intersection between the pedagogical goals of political scientists and the meaning, purpose, and context for citizenship education in high schools.