ABSTRACT
This chapter examines ideas for separating education from politics and propose conceptual and practical frameworks to advance the idea of nonpolitically driven and sovereign education. It reviews philosophical calls for separating education from politics, those of Arendt and Masschelein and Simons. The chapter examines one specific particular way to realize my call for a nonpolitically driven K–12 education, namely a governing body. It reviews the operation of national education councils as a source for ideas how to address several key issues with regard to central educational governing body that is not subordinate to the general political authority. It addresses several anticipated challenges to the idea of a sovereign education, including the argument that such education is undemocratic. Both Arendt and Masschelein and Simons do not suggest an operative program for keeping K–12 education away from its political environment. However, in the spirit of their arguments, the chapter suggests a conceptual framework to address the instrumental approach.
