Civil Discourse Dinners

Talking about the toughest issues is critical to problem solving. But getting the conversation going and expressing our viewpoints in a way that is honest, constructive and, yes, civil, can be downright difficult. After all, it’s educating our kids that we’re talking about. For that very reason, the Frontline Research & Learning Institute is dedicated to working through impediments to progress — whether intended or not — and creating opportunities for civil discussion and action.

"Ideas wither without civil discourse."
John Deasy

In August 2017, the institute kicked off its Civil Discourse Dinner series at Boston’s Old State House where education leaders of every stripe gathered to talk about K-12 over a family-style meal. Excepting a few moments when the dinner guests served up their passion along with the peas and carrots, the conversation was rich and remarkably polite. In fact, it went so well that the institute has since presented a multitude of dinners in locations from Austin to Los Angeles to the Standing Rock Native American Reservation.