by Jenny Kang, Trudie Pan, Jessica Diaz, Cathy Sin Essentialism by Jenny Kang, Trudie Pan, Jessica Diaz, Cathy Sin

Video Clip on Overview of Essentialism

In terms of Education how would you answer these? What is it that you must know to understand something? What is it that is most basic, or necessary? What is unnecessary or incidental?”

Answers Essentialism is an educational theory that answers the following questions. Essentialism has a relevance in education because you must know the fundamental and essentials skills of reading, writing, history, mathematics, science, and literature that all have stood the test of time. The ultimate goal of Essentialism places a responsibility on the teacher to implement discipline and high academic standards. Effective essentialism calls schools to return to the proper role of transmitting basic knowledge and removing deficiencies in curriculum that fail to follow basic education.

Defining Essentialism Educational essentialism is an educational theory which asserts that schooling and learning must focus on the basic ideas and skills that are essential to becoming productive members of society. The aim to instill students with basic skills and knowledge which allows irrelevant issues and nonessentials to be removed from the components of the curriculum. “Schools, than, are academic agencies established by society to transmit basic skills and knowledge to its children and youth” (Gutek, 2004, p. 264)

Combatting deficiencies in American Education According to Gutek (2004), “U.S. elementary students were failing to meet the standards of achievement in basics,” which led to a revival of basic education in the late 1970s and 1980s (Gutek, 2004, p. 266). The essentialists movement wanted to combat the decline of systematic instruction by creating standardized tests to determine student’s achievement. “The use of standardized tests to measure student academic achievement reflects the current influence of Essentialism in educational policy making” (Gutek, 2004, p. 277). Essentialists agree that schools should have a well-defined curriculum of basic skills that allows students to develop hard work and discipline to reach the high academic standards in place.

Essentialism’s Ideological and Philosophical Relationship The school’s primary function is academic and intellectual which is increasingly grounded in history. “Essentialism is more historically than metaphysically grounded, in that it looks to the past, rather than to human nature, to identify the skills and subjects that have contributed to human survival and civilization” (Gutek, 2004, p. 269). With this, traditional educational principles are the most certain path to human survival and civility. Each generation must pass on the essential skills and subjects in order to prepare students for the future. Essentialists reject nonacademic pursuits, especially those in which believe that the school is multifunctional. Essentialists do not believe that the school’s primary function should provide social and therapeutic roles, schools are to focus on academic instruction. With the presence of Liberal and Progressive forces in the education system, it is evident that Essentialists would argue that the “best response for schools, is to reaffirm and rely on the tried, true, and tested curriculum of basic skills and subjects” (Gutek, 2004, p. 270) .

Description of the School Northwood ABC Elementary Essentialist School Description of the School Located in Alaska Back-to-basics academic focus under Anchorage Basic Curriculum (ABC). Essentialism Educational Philosophy which emphasis on citizenship, value, discipline, patriotism, and character education.

Essentialist School Strengths Northwood ABC Elementary Through Back-to-basics academic focus, students receive a solid academic foundation. Instills moral values and ethics in students, proving them with the sense to become educated good human beings. Whole-Group Instruction presents an overview of knowledge that are important for students in a direct and logical manner.

Essentialist School Weaknesses Northwood ABC Elementary Focused solely on teaching basics, therefore minimizing the creativity of students Whole Group Instruction disregards students. Possible listening-skills deficiencies or short attentions spans of students. Lecture might carry one point of view.

Video Clip on Criticism of Essentialism

Essentialist School Opportunities Northwood ABC Elementary Culturally Responsive Education Plan helps students to appreciate present and historical events and accommodating multiple worldview and values. Promotes new discipline, science and math, and technologies to adapt to the changes in the world. Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) essential components are Instruction and Intervention, Data Evaluation, Stakeholder and Family Engagement, and Problem Solving.

Threats for the U.S. Education Essentialist School Northwood ABC Elementary Threats for the U.S. Education Current U.S. education system are pushing toward Progressivism. Progressivism curriculum is leading into social action and real-world activities.

Essentialism vs. Christian Philosophy Subjects: Eng, Root: unwavering Math, science… God School as intellectual spiritual > body Institute subjects hierarchy Predetermined Curriculum Values: hard-working, Respect authority, Punctuality... Root: tried-and-true Tradition, Human knowledge Subject order: Sequence based On experts God's words Back to the basics

Chinese Christian School Established in 1979 All staff are Christian Current student #: 348 Non-Christian students: 80% Christian values implemented by: Chapels Morning devotions Bible classes Bible-integrated curriculum Subjects: Eng, math, social sciences, science, etc. Standardized testing: Terra Nova 3

Northwood ABC vs. CCS Common ground Subjects Sequential teaching Standardized testing Whole-group instruction Traditional values: hard-working, respect authority, etc. School motto “Educate all students for success of life” vs. “transforming lives for the glory of God”