In an era of standards, accountability, and testing, the legacy of John Dewey and the vision of educating for democratic community may seem distant from the mainstream of education reform. However, issues of student engagement, character, and civic engagement are as pressing as raising performance standards. Young people need the concepts, skills, and commitment to revitalize communities and the U.S. democracy. The presenter will share his research in children's social consciousness and the results of a 10-year experiment in implementing a comprehensive preK—12 approach that integrates social-emotional learning, ethical development, service learning, and civic engagement into the curriculum and culture of schools.