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“If we are to embrace an education for participatory readiness, we need to aim our pedagogic and curricular work... at what lies behind all of them: the idea of civic agency as the activity of co-creating a way of life."

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"An education focused not merely on technical skills, but also on what I call participatory readiness, provides a distinct and better way to promote equality through schooling."

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"Rewards would go... to schools that develop more classes 'that focus on science, technology, engineering, and math- the skills today's employers are looking fr to fill jobs right now and in the future."

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"The technology-based analysis of inequality and the vocational paradigm focuses specifically on economic equality. Questions of political equality have no place in this picture."

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Allen argues that education focused on civic learning and the liberal arts is essential for the future of democracy. By teaching students how to think critically, understand others, and work together, this kind of education promotes equality and shared responsibility in society.

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Vocational education focuses on vocational and technical skills prepares students for the workforce and ensures they can support themselves and contribute to the economy. By emphasizing practical job training, this approach promotes economic stability and opportunity for everyone. Allen acknowledges that vocational and technical education helps students find jobs and build economic stability. However, she warns that focusing solely on job preparation narrows the purpose of education to financial outcomes instead of civic or moral development. This one-dimensional focus risks weakening democracy.

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The education system has shifted its focus away from developing civically engaged individuals by placing greater priority on STEM and vocational studies rather than civic education.  

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The education system has shifted its focus away from developing civically engaged individuals by placing greater priority on STEM and vocational studies rather than civic education.  

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vocational - related to career

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Allen introduces her core idea of “participatory readiness,” which basically means students should be prepared to engage as citizens, not just trained to become workers. She argues that real equality can only happen when people understand their shared responsibilities in a democracy — things like voting, jury duty, or even speaking up about community issues. I agree with Allen because focusing only on job skills leaves out what makes society stronger: people who actually care about others and can think critically about what’s fair or just. Without civic education, we might end up with skilled workers but not thoughtful citizens, which doesn’t help build a better or more equal society.

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This is a quote Allen quotes from Obama where he mentions that STEM and vocational programs in schools are primarily for job preparation. Which reflects the idea that the purpose of educations is tied to workforce competitiveness in our economy. Showing that the government prioritizes STEM/vocational skills as the path to economic security

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This quote is saying that the vocational view of education only looks at inequality as an economic problem or something that can be fixed y giving people more technical skills like STEM training. Essentially the idea would be that if everyone learned the right job skill they would earn more money and inequality would shrink.

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Allen argues that this way of thinking is ignoring politics. Ignoring the fact that government decisions, laws, and social values change the quality of work not just education or technology

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This quote means that education shouldn’t just prepare people for jobs but should also help them learn how to build and improve their communities together. When Allen talks about “co-creating a way of life,” she’s saying that being a citizen means actively shaping the kind of society we want to live in not just following rules that already exist. Civic education teaches students how to think critically, collaborate, and take responsibility for the common good, which is key to a strong democracy.