The Paideia Proposal
An Educational ManifestoBy Mortimer J. Adler
Adler’s View of Education
“There are no unteachable children. There are only schools and parents who
fail to teach them.”Adler pg. 8 The Paideia Proposal
Democracy and how it relates to education
• Education is lifelong
• Schooling does not complete education
SAME COURSE OF STUDY FOR ALL
Acquisition of Organized Knowledge
Development of Skills of Learning
Enlarged understanding of Ideas and Values
Didactic Instruction Lectures and Responses
Coaching, Exercises and Supervised Practice
Socratic Questioning and active Participation
•Language Literature Fine Arts•Math and Natural Science•History Geography Social Studies
•Reading Writing Speaking Listening•Calculate Problem Solve Observe Measure Estimate•Exercising Critical Judgment
Discussion of books and other work of art
And Involvement in artistic activities (music drama art)
Adapted from Adler’s The Paideia Proposal
Concepts that work
• Life long learners• Active learning not passive• Standards of quality
Equality for All
• Preschool learning (2-3 years)• Same educational objectives• Same course of study • No electives for the 12 years• Satisfactory standard of
accomplishment
“The thrust of our argument so far has been that basic schooling ought to prepare every child to learn a living and live a good life. But there is one more reason for exerting every effort to improve basic schooling. We must also do it to preserve our free institutions.”
Adler page 77 The Paideia Proposal
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