The Art of Civil Discourse

In a time when national debates can turn violent, and people shout more than listen, it seems like the art of civil discourse is fading fast. However, here within the Vashon Island School District, efforts are being made to keep meaningful discussions alive. Our classrooms shouldn't just be places to learn math or science; they should also teach us to think critically, listen respectfully, and speak thoughtfully.

At Chautauqua Elementary School, third grade teacher Margie Butcher encourages civil discourse through a program she created called Action Network. Each year, her students choose a community service project, last year chose to focus on the local orca population, after an in-depth discussion process. 

“All the kids are sharing their different ideas, but we as a class have to come to a consensus,” Butcher explained. “We really have to hear each other and understand perspectives,”

While they might not be discussing politics, they’re learning the building blocks of democracy: listening, compromising, and understanding how to approach disagreements. 

In her classroom, Butcher even implements an activity she calls perspective taking. Students line up along different sides of the room to show how strongly they feel about a topic, a process teachers at McMurry and VHS do as well. After hearing their classmates’ reasoning, many move to a different spot, proof that minds can change when people really listen. I believe that this open mindedness is something that everyone, teenagers and adults alike, should try to adopt. 

By the time those students reach high school, the topics have grown more complex. Last year in my Advanced Placement U.S. History (APUSH) class we would tackle debates concerning everything from foreign wars to ethical questions in America’s past. With conflicting opinions flying around the room, teacher Heather Miller encourages students to remain respectful when arguing. 

“The norms for discussion in my class focus on when we disagree, we challenge or criticize the idea, not the person,” she explained.

It may seem simple, but it creates space for constructive dialogue, and for students to speak freely without fear of judgment.  

Recently in my Government class, we discussed the court case Roe vs. Wade. I noticed that when two of my classmates were disagreeing about the issue, one of them actully stopped and agreed with the other side's point. It was pretty cool to see how they could argue civilly, and even admit when they were wrong. 

These are great examples of how civil discourse is approached in our classrooms, but I would argue that there is still room to grow. Oftentimes, I feel that students who lean more conservative are reluctant to share their true perspectives. I have heard my classmates say that they will write essays that they don’t necessarily agree with, just to get a better grade. In a community that leans liberal, it can be challenging for some students to express differing opinions without fear of judgment or academic repercussions. 

On the flipside, when progressive views are left unchallenged, students miss the opportunity to defend their stances.

I believe the solution starts with having more of these debates, especially ones where students are encouraged to play the devil's advocate. Additionally, everyone should try to be more accepting of differing viewpoints instead of tiptoeing around issues to avoid disagreement. Disagreement is what equips students with the tools to be respectful citizens and helps prepare us for life beyond VHS.