E.D. Hirsch

E.D. Hirsch

By Paul Denman

Philosophy of Education

Introduction

Hirsch founded, who the Core Knowledge Foundation in 1986, wrote Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs To Know in 1987. He also co-wrote The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy in 1988. In 1996, he published The Schools We Need and Why We Don't Have Them. Hirsch outlines a philosophy of education that focuses on a universal core curriculum that is structured to the point that every school teaches the same content in the same grade level. The intent of his curriculum is to create citizens that are culturally literate who can compete in today's world.

Hirsch's Philosophy

Hirsch's ideology is considered extremely controversial. Although Hirsch is a liberal, he has been labeled by many an advocate for a conservative curriculum and a promoter of "drill and kill" pedagogy. He has been criticized for not observing differences in learning styles and for omitting