To help educators create high-functioning democratic learning communities, the Five Freedoms Project provides an actionable framework for school leadership, based on four overlapping themes. Click on each of the themes below for action steps and resources:
Religious Liberty. Speech. Press. Assembly. Petition.
Reflect. Connect. Create. Equip. Let Come.
Knowledge. Commitment. Habits. Aspirations. Actions.
Achievement. Balance. Climate. Democratic Practices. Equity.
You Be The Judge
Can a school bar a student from giving a religiously themed graduation speech?
Two students were selected to give the invocation and valedictorian graduation speeches at their high school. The district had a policy of reviewing the speeches. During this review process, the school informed the students that their messages were too sectarian and proselytizing.
Icon of Freedom
David Scott
Servant of the Constitution
Dave Scott, a Five Freedoms Leadership Fellow, coordinates all K-12 law-related education programs for the Northport School District in New York. A tireless advocate for the Constitution and Bill of Rights, Dave has helped ensure that thousands of fellow Americans -- young and old -- have developed a deeper appreciation of American democracy.
