미국 헌법교육 사례 분석을 통한 한국 초등 헌법교육 개선 방향 탐색

This article discusses the challenges of constitutional education in the 2022 revised Korean social studies curriculum for elementary schools and proposes directions for improvement based on case studies from the United States. Constitutional education plays a vital role in democratic societies by teaching students about their rights and responsibilities and fostering critical thinking and civic participation. However, Korea’s 2022 revised social studies curriculum revealed several limitations in elementary-level constitutional education. First, despite the need for a systematic approach that enables students to internalize and practice constitutional values from the lower elementary grades, instruction on these topics begins only in upper elementary grades, limiting early learning opportunities. Second, considering the abstract nature of constitutional concepts, age-appropriate content, and sufficient instructional time are necessary. However, the 2022 reduction in achievement standards has led to decreased instructional hours. Third, the curriculum offers limited learning activities, focusing primarily on information-gathering, analysis, and discussing human rights violations. In contrast, US constitutional education is structured as a sequential curriculum from elementary to high school, developed through public–private collaboration to teach children constitutional principles and their application. It also emphasizes practical engagement through various experiential and participatory activities and programs. Based on this analysis, the paper recommends a structured, developmentally appropriate curriculum for Korea’s elementary constitutional education to foster constitutional values and the participatory learning of principles and their real-world applications. It highlights the need for practical, sustained support to enhance teachers’ expertise in constitutional education, including the expansion of structured professional development programs and teacher networks. Finally, it calls for the establishment of a cooperative framework among legal scholars, educators, and civil society to enhance the quality and accessibility of constitutional education in Korea.