Chapter 6 Philosophy and Aims of Education

Four Philosophies Reconstructionism Progressivism Essentialism Perennialism

Aims Derived from examining the needs of children and youth in American society From analyzing our culture From studying various needs in our society

Global Aims The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) seek to promote: –Foster international understanding among all people of the world –Improve the standards of living of people in various countries –Solve continuing problems that plague humanity, such as war, disease, hunger, and unemployment

Derivation of Aims Human personality Moral responsibility Institutions as the servants of men Common consent Devotion to truth Respect for excellence Moral equality

Brotherhood The pursuit of happiness Spiritual enrichment

Statements by Educators Dewey –Socializing young –Develop individual physically, mentally, morally and emotionally National Education Association Association –Develop knowledge Adler Goodlad

Adler –Help human beings become educated persons –Schooling is the preparatory stage –It forms the habit of learning Goodlad (goals in 4 categories) –AcademicVocational –Social and CivicPersonal

Goals 2000 All start school ready to learn High school graduation rate increase to 90% Students leave grades 4,8, and 12 demonstrating competency in Eng., math, science, foreign lang., civics & gov’t., economics, arts, history and geography Will be first in world in math & science

All Americans literate and possess knowledge and skills in a global eco./exercise rights and responsibilities of citizenship Every school free of drugs, violence, firearms, and alcohol/school conducive to learning environment

Teachers have access to programs to improve knowledge and skills/to help students Every school promotes partnerships that will increase parental involvement

Philosophies Reconstructionism: transmit cultural heritage and solve political/social problems Perennialism: truth eternal, everlasting and unchanging Essentialism: goals primarily cognitive and intellectually organized; courses transmit culture; emphasis placed on mental principle: 3 “R’s”

Progressivism: process that continues as long as one lives Two pervasive philosophies: Essentialism and Progressivism

Theories of Education Reconstructionism –Concerned with life’s problems and solutions (social, eco., political) Perennialism (Private school) –Truth, eternal, everlasting, and unchanging (private school concept) –High verbal and academic aptitude (testing) –Emphasis on grammar, rhetoric, logic, classical and modern languages; the Bible

Essentialism (Public school) -Seeks to preserve society and adjust people to it -What has worked…stick to it -Cognitive/intellectual -neutral discipline (3 R’s, screen youth -Classroom drill, standardized testing (TAAS), behavioral objectives

Progressivism (Public school) –Child centered (beginning, middle, end) –Holistic grading-integrated curriculum-inquiry- experimentalization –Learning active/learn by doing –Cooperative, completion, reflective thinking –Scientific method –Gestalt-whole picture-unit planning-perceptual-self- actualization