Youth Activism in an Era of Education Inequality

Ben Kirshner is Associate Professor of Education at the University of Colorado Boulder. He is also Faculty Director of CU Engage: Center for Civic Learning and Public Research, whose mission is to work collaboratively with students, staff, faculty, and community groups to address complex public challenges.

Contents Acknowledgments ix Introduction 1 Part I. How Activism Contributes to Human Development and Democratic Renewal 1. Critique and Collective Agency in Youth Development 23 2. Millennial Youth and the Fight for Opportunity 53 3. "Not Down with the Shut Down": Student Activism against School Closure 83 Part II. learning ecologies of youth activism 4. Teaching without Teaching 107 5. Schools as Sites of Struggle: Critical Civic Inquiry 134 Conclusion: Activism, Dignity, and Human Development 163 Methodological Appendix 185 Notes 201 Bibliography 213 Index 233 About the Author 237

"Kirshner provides a well-organized, thought provoking analysis of the effects of sociopolitical development on youth in a time of inequality. The purpose of his book is to provide the reader with insight as to how youth development effects societal change. Kirshner expresses the dire need to provide youth with a voice and how this voice becomes a catalyst for change. The text provides narratives of students who participated in youth led organizations that began to make societal changes in their schools. In addition to these narratives, the reader gets the privilege of learning about many different youth led campaigns that came about from the inability of youth to have a voice. The book particularly examines ways in which fostering sociopolitical development in youth brings about societal change. This text delivers exactly what it is supposed to." - Journal of Youth and Adolescence "[A]ll facets of youth activism are meticulously studied, analyzed, and interpreted using qualitative psychology research, with its case studies intertwined throughout...[I]ts solid research base seems essential for those seeking current analyses and data regarding student activism before beginning similar programs." (VOYA) "[M]any of the ideas are worth reiterating to a new generation of teachers and researchers. Educating youth to be active participants in social change and proactively engaging them in exploring and defining their own values are inherently valuable regardless of the era or the political climate." (PsycCRITIQUES) "Persuades us that schools would improve and societies benefit if we heard the voices of youth, who are typically left out of public conversations. Listen closely as they explain why they are organizing for equal education.-" - Connie Flanagan,University of Wisconsin-Madison "Provides a powerfully rich analysis of youth activism, and youth participatory research across a variety of settings. Kirshners brilliant analysis sheds light into the dark and complicated corners of youth engagement and political action. This book is a must read for researchers and practitioners searching for fresh analysis and innovative insights into youth civic activism and engagement." - Shawn A. Ginwright,San Francisco State University