The document proposes the establishment of a Democracy and Sustainability Academy that would educate students about sustainable development, participatory democracy, and global citizenship. The school's learning goals would include civic engagement, community collaboration, trans-disciplinary problem-solving, systems thinking, and studying all subjects through the lens of sustainability. It would serve 180 students in grades 6-12 with a flexible schedule incorporating independent work, community partnerships, and school-wide meetings. Next steps outlined are adopting a sustainability mission statement, surveying teacher interest, developing a formal proposal, and establishing a leadership team.

1. Education for Sustainable Development Democracy and Sustainability Academy in Alameda Sylvia Gibson AUSD Teacher GreenMBA Candidate, Dominican University

2. Sustainability "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” ~ The Brundtland Commission, convened by the United Nations, 1983

3. 21 st Century Challenges Climate Change Poverty Energy Water War Transportation Agriculture Urbanization Population Growth Resource Depletion Habitat Loss Economic Justice Security Pollution Survival

4. Democracy and Sustainability Academy Learning Goals: Participatory Democracy Community Engagement Trans-Disciplinary Studies Systems Thinking Global Perspectives Sustainability Education Core Academics

5. Participatory Democracy Students will engage in school-wide democratic activities and develop a life long commitment to civic engagement. Judicial Committee~ Leadership~ Students make the rules Students guide Interpret the rules the vision and Enforce the rules mission of the school Citizenship~ All students participate in school-wide decision making

6. Community Students will engage in a school culture of community, collaborate with the greater community, and understand their connections to the global community. Internships Mentors School Garden Business Partnership Pot-lucks Community College Projects Grants Scholarships Cultural Events School Leadership Problem Solving Global Exchange Stakeholder Engagement

7. Trans-Disciplinary Studies Students will use trans- disciplinary approaches to solve problems and learn core academic skills. Physics~Ecology~Communication~Technology~Math~Ethics~Economics

8. Systems Thinking Students will understand the theory and practical applications of systems thinking. Systems thinking emphasizes the qualities of relationships, connectedness, and context— in any system, whether an ecosystem or a school system.

9. Global Perspectives Students will understand the responsibilities of and acquire the skills needed to be global citizens. Foreign Language Studies Student Exchange Diplomacy International Sister Schools International Field Trips Global Policy Global Trade

10. Sustainability Students will study all subjects through the lens of sustainability. Intergenerational Responsibility Interconnectedness Ecological Systems Economic Systems Social and Cultural Systems Personal Action Collective Action

11. Education for Sustainable Development~ The Movement Center for Ecoliteracy Local Green Schools Initiative Edible Schoolyard CA Sustainable Schools Sustainable Oregon Schools National Sustainable Schools Project, VT WA state content standards Facing the Future Cloud Foundation Global US Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development

12. Democracy and Sustainability Academy 6-12 District Magnet or Charter School 180 Students 6 Teachers Shared Leadership Model Flexible Student Schedule (independent work time; community partnerships; school wide meetings) School site with a central community space

13. Next Steps Board adoption of sustainability mission statement Teacher survey around sustainability instruction and interest A formal proposal outlining school mission, structure, and milestones A place in the Master Plan A leadership team to develop curriculum, initiate community partnerships, and seek start up grants