Advancing the Reform and Innovation of Ideological and Political Theory Courses in Universities, Middle Schools, and Primary Schools

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to the construction of ideological and political theory courses, making a series of important deployments for the integrated construction of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “Adhere to reform and innovation, advance the integrated construction of ideological and political education in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, and enhance the pertinence and appeal of ideological and political theory courses.” [1]1 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium for Teachers of Ideological and Political Theory Courses in Schools,” March 18, 2019. “Reform and innovation are the spirit of the times; young people are the most active group; the construction of ideological and political theory courses must seek vitality from reform and innovation.” [2]2 Ibid. Advancing the reform and innovation of the integration of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools is a key move for the fundamental task of these courses in fostering virtue and nurturing people. [3]3 “Fostering virtue and nurturing people” (立德树人) is a core mission of Chinese education, emphasizing moral cultivation as the foundation of talent development.

党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央高度重视思政课建设，对大中小学思政课一体化建设作出一系列重要部署。习近平总书记指出，“坚持改革创新，推进大中小学思想政治教育一体化建设，提高思政课的针对性和吸引力”，“改革创新是时代精神，青少年是最活跃的群体，思政课建设要向改革创新要活力”。推进大中小学思政课一体化改革创新是思政课立德树人根本任务的关键一招。

Ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools

大中小学思政课

The theoretical implications of integrated reform and innovation

一体化改革创新的理论意蕴

Advancing the integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, and promoting the connotative development of ideological and political theory courses, are important measures for implementing the fundamental task of fostering virtue and nurturing people, and carry profound value implications.

推进大中小学思政课一体化改革创新，推进思政课内涵式发展，是落实立德树人根本任务的重要举措，具有深刻的价值意蕴。

First, the implication of epistemology. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “We must learn to master the principle of the dialectical relationship between cognition and practice, adhere to the viewpoint that practice is primary, and continuously promote theoretical innovation on the basis of practice.” [4]4 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the 20th Collective Study Session of the Political Bureau of the 18th CPC Central Committee,” December 3, 2015. The integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools requires learning and mastering the principle of the dialectical relationship between cognition and practice, systematically grasping the dialectical unity of the laws of education and teaching in ideological and political theory courses with the laws of cognitive development of students at different school stages. Only through practice, cognition, re-practice, and re-cognition, in a cycle that continues without end, can the unity of practice and cognition be achieved.

一是认识论意蕴。习近平总书记强调：“要学习掌握认识和实践辩证关系的原理，坚持实践第一的观点，不断推进实践基础上的理论创新。”大中小学思政课一体化改革创新，学习掌握认识和实践辩证关系的原理，系统把握思政课教育教学规律与大中小不同学段学生认知发展规律的辩证统一，经过实践、认识、再实践、再认识，循环往复以至无穷，才能实现实践和认识的统一。

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “For different school stages, specific teaching objectives should be scientifically set according to the laws of ideological and political theory education and the laws of student growth.” [5]5 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium for Teachers of Ideological and Political Theory Courses in Schools,” March 18, 2019. The integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools must follow Marxist epistemology, combine the physiological and psychological differences and cognitive characteristics of students at different school stages, carry out ideological and political theory course education and teaching by school stage and level, and coordinate the arrangement of ideological and political teaching content, objectives, and methods across school stages, promoting close articulation and smooth coordination between stages. The primary school stage focuses on cultivating moral emotions, the middle school stage focuses on laying a solid ideological foundation, the high school stage focuses on enhancing political literacy, and the university stage focuses on strengthening the sense of mission and responsibility. This reflects the Marxist viewpoint on connection and development.

习近平总书记指出：“要针对不同学段，根据思想政治理论教育规律和学生成长规律科学设置具体教学目标。”大中小学思政课一体化改革创新必须遵循马克思主义认识论，结合不同学段学生的生理、心理差异及认知特点，开展分学段、分层次的思政课教育教学，统筹安排各学段思政教学内容、目标和方式，促进学段间的紧密衔接与顺畅协同。小学阶段重在培养道德情感，初中阶段重在打牢思想基础，高中阶段重在提升政治素养，大学阶段重在增强使命担当，这体现了马克思主义关于联系和发展的观点。

Second, the implication of axiology. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “To run ideological and political theory courses well, the most fundamental thing is to fully implement the Party’s educational policy and solve the fundamental question of what kind of people to cultivate, how to cultivate them, and for whom to cultivate them.” [6]6 Ibid. The integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools carries the mission of “continuously opening up a new situation in ideological and political education in the New Era, and striving to cultivate more new-era individuals who reassure the Party, love and contribute to the country, and bear the heavy responsibility of national rejuvenation.” [7]7 Xi Jinping, “Instructions on the Construction of Ideological and Political Theory Courses in Schools,” May 2024.

二是价值论意蕴。习近平总书记指出：“办好思政课，最根本的是要全面贯彻党的教育方针，解决好培养什么人、怎样培养人、为谁培养人这个根本问题。”大中小学思政课一体化改革创新承载着“不断开创新时代思政教育新局面，努力培养更多让党放心、爱国奉献、担当民族复兴重任的时代新人”的使命。

Ideological and political theory courses are the key courses for implementing the fundamental task of fostering virtue and nurturing people, and their role is irreplaceable. The integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools is an inevitable requirement for realizing the fundamental task of fostering virtue and nurturing people. In the construction process, adhering to the close integration of overall planning with the characteristics of each school stage, forming a work pattern of mutual connection and mutual promotion, jointly realizing the education and cultivation of young people. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The education powerhouse we want to build is a socialist education powerhouse with Chinese characteristics, which should have strong ideological and political guiding power, talent competitiveness, scientific and technological support, people’s livelihood security, social synergy, and international influence, providing strong support for comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-path modernization.” [8]8 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the 5th Collective Study Session of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee,” May 29, 2024. Strong ideological and political guiding power ranks first, and the integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools is an inherent requirement for a socialist education powerhouse with Chinese characteristics to have strong ideological and political guiding power.

思政课是落实立德树人根本任务的关键课程，作用不可替代。大中小学思政课一体化改革创新是实现立德树人根本任务的必然要求。在建设过程中，坚持整体规划与各学段特点紧密结合，形成相互联结、相互促进的工作格局，共同实现对青少年的教育培养。习近平总书记指出：“我们要建成的教育强国，是中国特色社会主义教育强国，应当具有强大的思政引领力、人才竞争力、科技支撑力、民生保障力、社会协同力、国际影响力，为以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业提供有力支撑。”强大的思政引领力位居首位，大中小学思政课一体化改革创新是中国特色社会主义教育强国具有强大思政引领力的题中应有之义。

Ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools

大中小学思政课

The path of integrated reform and innovation

一体化改革创新路径

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The coordinated advancement of the integrated construction of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools should be treated as an important project, adhering to the combination of problem orientation and goal orientation, adhering to the unity of upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground, and promoting the connotative development of ideological and political theory course construction.” [9]9 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Symposium for Teachers of Ideological and Political Theory Courses in Schools,” March 18, 2019. Through a series of reform and innovation measures, ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools effectively promote the implementation and realization of the integrated construction of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, achieving connotative development and high-quality development.

习近平总书记指出：“要把统筹推进大中小学思政课一体化建设作为一项重要工程，坚持问题导向和目标导向相结合，坚持守正和创新相统一，推动思政课建设内涵式发展。”大中小学思政课通过一系列措施改革创新，切实推动大中小学思政课一体化建设落地、落实，实现内涵式发展、高质量发展。

First, strengthen organizational leadership, and establish a leadership mechanism and communication mechanism to promote the integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “The key to running China’s affairs well lies in the Party. Party committees at all levels should put the construction of ideological and political theory courses on their important agenda, seize the prominent issues restricting the construction of ideological and political theory courses, and take effective measures in work patterns, team building, support and guarantees, etc.” [10]10 Ibid. Coordinating the promotion of the integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools requires that education departments, university schools of Marxism, and primary and secondary school units attach great importance, incorporate the work of integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools into their respective annual key work, make overall plans, form a system of coordinated advancement, establish a long-term leadership mechanism and a smooth communication mechanism, jointly discuss, jointly plan, and do a good job of top-level design around important issues in the integrated construction of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. Scientifically formulate implementation plans for coordinating the promotion of integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, coordinate the advancement of collective lesson preparation, teacher training, teaching research, ideological and political education practice and research, etc., realize the integration of discipline construction, curriculum construction, team building, teaching and research, and resource platforms, and build a new pattern of integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses.

一是加强组织领导，建立推进大中小学思政课一体化改革创新的领导机制与沟通机制。习近平总书记指出：“办好中国的事情，关键在党。各级党委要把思政课建设摆上重要议程，抓住制约思政课建设的突出问题，在工作格局、队伍建设、支持保障等方面采取有效措施。”协同推进大中小学思政课一体化改革创新，需要教育部门、高校马院、中小学各单位高度重视，将大中小学思政课一体化改革创新工作纳入各自单位年度重点工作，统筹规划，形成协同推进制度，建立长效领导机制与畅通沟通机制，围绕大中小学思政课一体化建设中的重要问题共同协商、共同谋划、做好顶层设计。科学制订协同推进大中小学思政课一体化改革创新实施方案，统筹推进集体备课、师资培养、教学研究、思政教育实践研修等，实现学科建设一体化、课程建设一体化、队伍建设一体化、教学教研一体化、资源平台一体化，构建思政课一体化改革创新的新格局。

Second, build a working mechanism for coordinating the promotion of integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “School ideological and political work is not simply a single-line task, but should be all-encompassing.” [11]11 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Ideological and Political Work in Colleges and Universities,” December 7, 2016. Building a mechanism for the integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools requires multi-directional support. Discipline construction is the foundation and effective support for the integrated construction of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. Adhere to the principle of “placing equal emphasis on the Marxist theory discipline and ideological and political theory courses, highlighting characteristics, and mutually supporting,” with Marxist theory as the traction, and multiple disciplines such as philosophy, pedagogy, ethics, psychology, political science, law, and economics working together; universities set up a research direction of “integration of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools” in the ideological and political education of the secondary discipline of Marxist theory, so that the integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools are closely combined with the teaching, scientific research, talent cultivation, and management of discipline professional construction, with overall planning, overall deployment, and unified implementation; study the difficult and hot issues and teaching laws of ideological and political theory course education and teaching in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, and use the achievements of discipline professional construction to serve the integrated reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. At the same time, universities can hire senior teachers from primary and secondary schools as master’s supervisors for secondary discipline points, supplement university faculty, and promote discipline development. Multiple disciplines work together to continuously support the demand for teachers at the primary and secondary school stages. In response to the current problems of insufficient teacher strength, insufficient professional ability, and low theoretical literacy among ideological and political theory course teachers in primary and secondary schools, especially the shortage of teachers for thematic education such as rule of law and mental health in current primary and secondary school ideological and political theory course teaching, actively organize professional teachers with multi-disciplinary backgrounds such as Marxist theory, ideological and political education, pedagogy, law, and psychology to actively participate in the integrated construction of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, conduct teacher training for primary and secondary school teachers, and work together to make up for shortcomings.

二是构建协同推进大中小学思政课一体化改革创新工作机制。习近平总书记指出：“学校思想政治工作不是单纯一条线的工作，而应该是全方位的。”构建大中小学思政课一体化改革创新机制需要多向支撑。学科建设是大中小学思政课一体化建设的基础和有效支撑，坚持“马克思主义理论学科与思想政治理论课并重，突出特色，互为支撑”的原则，以马克思主义理论为牵引，哲学、教育学、伦理学、心理学、政治学、法学、经济学等多学科共同发力；高校在马克思主义理论二级学科思想政治教育中设置“大中小学思政课一体化”研究方向，使大中小学思政课一体化改革创新与学科专业建设的教学、科研、人才培养和管理紧密结合，统筹规划、整体部署、统一实施；研究大中小学思政课教育教学难点热点问题、教学规律，用学科专业建设成果服务于大中小学思政课一体化改革创新。同时，高校可以聘请中小学高级教师担任二级学科点硕士研究生导师，补充高校师资力量，推动学科发展。多学科专业共同发力，持续支撑中小学阶段师资需求。针对当前中小学阶段思政课教师存在师资力量不足、专业能力不够、理论素养不高等问题，尤其是当前中小学思政课教学中法治、心理健康等专题教育师资不足的情况，积极组织马克思主义理论、思想政治教育、教育学、法学和心理学等多学科背景专业教师积极参与大中小学思政课一体化建设，对中小学教师进行师资培训，齐心协力补齐短板。

Third, multi-dimensional design, promote the integration of curriculum construction of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. Adhere to being student-centered, implement the fundamental task of fostering virtue and nurturing people, follow the laws of student cognition and the laws of the formation and development of ideological and political quality, around the same theme, strengthen overall planning among school stages in the integration of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, regularly carry out collective lesson preparation, seminar and exchange activities for ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, deeply study the curriculum structure, textbook content, and teaching objectives of each school stage, carry out integrated collective lesson preparation and ideological and political theory course education and teaching in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, implement curriculum positioning, and achieve curriculum objectives. Make good use of “grand ideological and political theory courses,” [12]12 “Grand ideological and political theory courses” (大思政课) refers to an expanded concept of ideological and political education that integrates diverse resources and social practices beyond the classroom. integrate fine traditional Chinese culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture into the integrated construction of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. The integration of ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools should fully tap into local red cultural resources, integrate them into ideological and political theory courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, enrich teaching content, inherit red genes, and promote red culture.

三是多维设计，推进大中小学思政课课程建设一体化。坚持以学生为中心，落实立德树人根本任务，遵循学生认知规律与思想政治素质形成发展规律，围绕同一主题，在大中小学思政课一体化中各学段之间加强整体谋划，定期开展大中小学思政课集体备课、研讨交流活动，深入研究各学段课程结构、教材内容、教学目标，开展大中小学思政课一体化集体备课与思政课教育教学，落实课程定位，实现课程目标。善用“大思政课”，将中华优秀传统文化、革命文化和社会主义先进文化融入大中小学思政课一体化建设。大中小学思政课一体化要充分挖掘各地的红色文化资源，并融入大中小学思政课，丰富教学内容、传承红色基因、弘扬红色文化。

Fourth, adopt multiple measures simultaneously to construct an integrated mechanism for the construction of the ideological and political course teacher team in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “Running ideological and political courses well depends on the teachers. To mobilize the enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity of ideological and political course teachers, it is necessary to enhance their professional identity, sense of honor, and sense of responsibility.” [13]13 Xi Jinping, speech at a symposium for teachers of ideological and political courses in schools, March 18, 2019. The first is to build multiple platforms to construct an integrated training mechanism for ideological and political course teachers in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. Support middle and primary school teachers in visiting universities for study and training, guide and drive middle and primary school teachers to participate in teaching and research projects, and comprehensively improve the political stance, theoretical literacy, teaching ability, etc., of ideological and political course teachers. The second is to enhance the internal drive of ideological and political course teachers to participate in the integrated construction of ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. The low enthusiasm and initiative of ideological and political course teachers in participating in the integration of ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, and insufficient internal drive, affect the effectiveness of the reform and innovation of the integration of ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. Each unit should combine the professional development of ideological and political course teachers, such as professional title evaluation and appointment, appointment period assessment, etc., to explore ways to enhance the endogenous motivation of ideological and political course teachers for the integrated construction of ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. The third is to promote the innovation of teaching concepts of ideological and political course teachers. Adhere to reform and innovation, and need to promote ideological and political course teachers in universities, middle schools, and primary schools to update educational concepts and improve teaching methods. In particular, it is necessary to promote ideological and political course teachers in universities to adhere to a problem-oriented approach, highlight problem awareness, and update educational concepts. As the last link in the closed-loop design of campus ideological and political education for students, universities are a key step in perfecting student ideological and political education. Ideological and political course teachers in universities should update their teaching concepts, actively participate in and research the reform and innovation of the integration of ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, and in the face of problems existing among college students in ideals and beliefs, values, mental health, etc., trace back to the source, identify the crux, and solve the problems in ideological and political work.

四是多措并举，构建大中小学思政课教师队伍建设一体化机制。习近平总书记强调：“办好思政课关键在教师。调动思政课教师的积极性、主动性、创造性，必须增强教师的职业认同感、荣誉感、责任感。”其一是多平台搭建，构建大中小学思政课教师一体化培训机制。支持中小学教师到高校进行访学进修、培训，引导、带动中小学教师参与教学、科研项目，全面提升思政课教师政治站位、理论素养、教学能力等。其二是提升思政课教师参加大中小学思政课一体化建设的内驱力。思政课教师参与大中小学思政课一体化积极性、主动性低，内驱力不足，影响了大中小学思政课一体化改革创新的实效。各单位要结合思政课教师职业发展如职称评聘、聘期考核等探索提升思政课教师进行大中小学思政课一体化建设的内生动力。其三是推动思政课教师教学理念的创新。坚持改革创新，需推进大中小学思政课教师更新教育理念、改进教学方法。尤其要推动高校思政课教师坚持问题导向，突出问题意识，更新教育理念。高校作为学生校园思政教育闭环设计的最后一环，是完善学生思政教育的关键一步。高校思政课教师要更新教学理念，积极参与、研究大中小学思政课一体化改革创新，面对大学生在理想信念、价值观念、心理健康等方面存在的问题，追根溯源，找准症结，破解思想政治工作难题。

Fifth, carry out multi-element linkage to establish an integrated mechanism for teaching and research of ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. The core of establishing an integrated mechanism for teaching and research of ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools is to carry out teaching and research activities such as same-topic different-construction, teaching demonstrations and observations, etc., focusing on teaching themes such as the key points and difficult points in the construction of ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools and the entry of the Party’s theoretical innovation achievements into the classroom, accurately grasp the basic spirit and main content of ideological and political course textbooks in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, and form hierarchical teaching content. It is necessary to establish an integrated teaching and research mechanism and guarantee mechanism for ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, regularly organize and carry out teaching and research through online and offline forms, form a collective teaching and research mechanism for collaborative education, and actively promote the innovation of teaching methods such as case-based, inquiry-based, experiential, and interactive methods to enhance teaching effectiveness.

五是多元联动，建立大中小学思政课教学教研一体化机制。建立大中小学思政课教学教研一体化机制，核心是围绕大中小学思政课建设中的重点、难点和党的理论创新成果进课堂等教学主题，开展同课异构、教学展示与观摩等教研活动，准确把握大中小学思政课教材的基本精神和主要内容，形成层次性教学内容。要建立大中小学思政课一体化教学教研机制与保障机制，定期通过线上线下等形式组织开展教学教研，形成协同育人集体教研机制，并积极推进案例式、探究式、体验式、互动式等教学方法创新，提升教学效果。

Sixth, share resources to construct an integrated reform and innovation resource sharing mechanism for ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. The integration of resource platforms refers to promoting the sharing of high-quality teaching resources among universities, middle schools, and primary schools. Universities, middle schools, and primary schools should share and display high-quality teaching resources such as the construction experience of national first-class courses, provincial first-class courses, provincial online high-quality courses, provincial ideological and political gold courses, experience in applying for scientific research projects, various teaching achievement awards, and teaching competition results. At the same time, it is necessary to fully utilize the “big ideological and political courses” practical teaching bases, share practical teaching bases, and organize teachers and students to conduct practical research and on-site teaching.

六是资源共享，构建大中小学思政课一体化改革创新资源共享机制。资源平台一体化，是指要推动大中小学之间优质教学资源共享。大中小学要将国家一流课程、省一流课程、省在线精品课程、省思政课金课等的建设经验、科研项目申报经验、各类教学成果奖、教学比赛成果等优质教学资源进行共享与展示。同时，要充分运用“大思政课”实践教学基地，共享实践教学基地，组织师生进行实践研修、现场教学。

Seventh, give full play to the radiating role of Marxist colleges in universities, actively connect with the construction of the ideological and political course teacher team in middle and primary schools, and use the talent team advantages of universities to enhance the level of integration of ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools. Universities should give full play to their advantages, play a leading role in the integrated construction of ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, give play to the talent advantages, theoretical advantages, disciplinary advantages, curriculum advantages, teaching advantages, and resource advantages of universities, collaboratively promote the reform and innovation of the integration of ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools, effectively improve the pertinence and effectiveness of ideological and political course education and teaching, and make positive contributions to cultivating new generations who can reassure the Party, love and dedicate themselves to the country, and are worthy of the great task of national rejuvenation.

七是充分发挥高校马克思主义学院辐射作用，主动对接中小学思政课教师队伍建设，以高校人才队伍优势提升大中小学思政课一体化水平。高校要充分发挥优势，在大中小学思政课一体化建设中发挥引领作用，发挥高校的人才优势、理论优势、学科优势、课程优势、教学优势、资源优势，协同推进大中小学思政课一体化改革创新，切实提高思政课教育教学的针对性、实效性，为培养让党放心、爱国奉献、堪当民族复兴重任的时代新人作出积极贡献。

(The authors are Secretary of the Party Committee of Qingdao University of Science and Technology; Dean of the School of Marxism, Qingdao University of Science and Technology)

（作者系青岛科技大学党委书记；青岛科技大学马克思主义学院院长）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心