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)– Academic Vocational– Social and Civic Personal

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