Progressivism

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, "progressive" means....

Dictionary

1. of, relating to, or characterized by progress

2. making use of or interested in new ideas, findings, or

opportunities

3. moving forward or onward : ADVANCING

4. often capitalized : of or relating to political Progressives

5. increasing in extent or severity - a progressive disease

In the late 1800s-early 1900s,

rapid industrialization in America created

some social ills that many felt needed to be changed.

Society

Americans had settled the Western frontier, and business back East were booming and thriving, making owners of factories and manufacturing companies and banks very wealthy. However, working conditions for the lower rungs of society were dangerous, and not everyone shared in the burgeoning wealth industrialization had provided. Civil War reconstruction lasted until the early 1900s, and though the Emancipation Proclamation had formally abolished slavery, African Americans in this country still lived in sub-human conditions and did not have the legal right to vote and change things. For that matter, women could not have their say at the polls either, often existing as second class citizens with fewer rights than men. The

"social Darwinist" movement that had prevailed in the prior

century was abandoned, replacing the notion of "survival

of the fittest" with the belief that man could - and

SHOULD - seek to improve the social conditions

in the world around him. This movement

became known as Progressivism, and

it soon took hold in society,

politics, and - ultimately -

education.

Progressivism in Education

Education

Progressive thinkers during the late 1800s-early 1900s felt

that schools should be the change agents for society - that through

educating the "whole child" (social, emotional, and cognitive),

teachers could, in fact, change the problems they saw in society.

Rather than focus on the content that the teacher felt was essential,

focus shifted from the teacher to the learner. Progressive education

meant that learners were experimenters, problem solvers, critical

thinkers who would grow up to become better prepare to live in a new

world order, to end oppression and "improve the human condition."

Students in progressive schools would tackle social problems such

as hunger, racism, violence, inequality, and recession through

activities such as discussion and dialogue, inquiry, and often

times community based experiences.

Image

This image of a progressive elementary school class-

room in which students are allowed to explore and

experiment with the world around them. Notice

how the students are engaged with nature

and asking questions and making

hypotheses of what

they see.

Progressivism: A Historical Timeline

1896 - John Dewey, along with his fellow education reformers Francis Parker and

Ella Flagg Young of the University of Chicago, began testing progressive

ideas in the Laboratory School.

1899 - Dewey publishes groundbreaking progressive work, The School and Society

1909 - Ella Young Flagg becomes the first female Superintendent of Schools in

Chicago; becomes President of the National Education Association (NEA)

later that same year.

1911 - First Montessori school opened in America

1916 - Dewey publishes Democracy and Education

1919 - The Progressive Education Association was founded

Progressivism: A Historical Timeline

1933-1941 - The NEA conducts the "Eight Year Study" to evaluate the progress of

progressive programs; more than 1500 high school students in

progressive schools were compared with an equal number of students in

traditional high schools to determine their college readiness. The study

determined that students from the more progressive schools were actually

more prepared than students who had completed a traditional college prep

program.

1950's - During the height of McCarthyism, progressive public schools were

condemned as spreading liberal anti-government propaganda to vulnerable

high school students, landing many outspoken educators in the hot seat.

Progressivism: A Historical Timeline

1955 - Publication of Rudolf Flesch's "Why Johnny Can't Read"

caused widespread criticism of the progressive education

movement

1960s-1980s - With the "space race" and increased competition with our

global competitors, more accountability for schools paved the way

for "No Child Left Behind" and other data-driven legislation

1990s - TODAY - Parent and teacher dissatisfaction with "teaching to the

test" led to a rise in charter schools and private schools, sparking

an increase in progressive pedagogy. (Former president and Mrs.

Obama actually sent their daughters to Dewey's progressive

elementary school in Chicago!)

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson is considered by many to be the first advocate of education reform. As early as 1784, Jefferson proposed a bill that would provide free, equal access to elementary schools for all [white] Virginians in order to promote a democratic republic. He advocated that parents be placed in charge of these schools, NOT the government; By providing equal access to primary schools, Jefferson hoped to teach children “to work out their own greatest happiness, by showing them that it does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed them, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits"(Segarra, 2013).

Dewey's

"Democracy and Education"

John Dewey

Dewey felt that schools should be reflective of the democratic society. Teachers should create lessons and experiences that provide the opportunity for students to practice functioning within the democratic society. Students should learn how to think during interdisciplinary course where the teacher acts as a facilitator of learning.

Progressive Education

at the Crossroads

Boyd Bode

Boyd Bode warned that the progressive theories would soon die out, if leaders were not willing to make changes. The curriculum could not be solely focused around the child without considering more "appropriate subject matter," (Ornstein & Hunkins, 2017, pg. 40).

Impact of Progressivism upon Education

Picture of an elementary geography classroom in John Dewey's Chicago Laboratory School, circa 1900

Impacts on Education in the 1900's

During the 1900's we saw the Progressive movement take place. Progressivism revolves around the students' needs, including teaching students to be good citizens as well as good learners, a concept known as focusing on the whole child. This idea also focused on students learn through experiences. The ideas of the time also were centered around society was changing so the education should reflect that as well. The teacher was seen as a "leader of activities," thus allowing students to form their own opinions, problems solve on their own, and to processes their own data. Progressivism was focused on the student rather than the subject itself.

Impacts on Education Today

Progressivism today can be seen through what we call "alternative schools." These schools like Montessori schools and lab schools are built on the progressive ideas. These schools are not only known for the students the produce, but also the cost it takes to run these schools. Today's education does not focus on the idea of the changing world and the needs of this current world, but on what they are learning and what they need to know for the standardized test that does not reflect today's world. "Contemporary progressivism manifests as calls for a relevant curriculum, humanistic education, and radical school reform(pg.39)". Relevant curriculum is needed in schools today, but that costs money and takes away from standardized curriculum and test. We do see some progressive ideas in things like gym and industrial classes, but we really do not see it in the main stream classroom.

Elementary School Issues

Amber

I do not see much of the socially-relevant curriculum in core content areas. I have noted that topics such as internet safety, bullying, and conflict resolution skills are taught primarily in Guidance classes. There are opportunities to make curriculum relevant though using realistic scenarios in math problems, or connecting science and social studies to real world situations. From the text comparing the experiences of students in the 1950s and 1960s, it becomes too touchy of a situation to mention everything happening in society in 2018 to a room of nine year children. They have opinions and I like to know them, but the curriculum is setup in a way to unofficially say "hey, we do not have time to talk about those things. Or let's wait until 7th or 8th grade to discuss those topics."

Middle School Issues

Jessi

As a teacher who has taught in a public school and a charter school, I can say that things are a lot different between the two when it comes to the idea of current issues. As a public school teacher I was allowed to talk about current events (from presidential elections to kneeling for the national anthem) in my classroom. We actually made time for these issues (my district was super open). But straying far from the curriculum could cost you time, or issues with parents. With charter schools, we are open to do any thing we want with curriculum. Our social studies classes do not take the NCFE so they have a lot of freedom to teach anything they like. I try to keep my science class very relevant to my students and current events as well. I also allow time for students to express their concerns about current events because it is super important for students to have a voice in the classroom, and in-turn can help form relationships and even boost self-esteem. We offer a varitey of classes not offered in a lot of public schools like business, speech, theater arts, art and music (some of which were taken away from the public school I worked in). We also have Leader in Me in our charter so we use that to help build well rounded students who are capable of competing in today's society. I think most charter schools carry a progressive idea (see the impact on today's schools for more).

High School Issues

Julie

I have been teaching in North Carolina public high schools for the past 16 years. I would have to say that during that time period (2002 - 2018), schools have definitely been trying to lean in a progressive direction. But with the hyper-focus on testing and accountability, true progressivism is impossible. While we have Career and Technical Education programs where students can learn practical skills, a push for 21st-Century skills instruction, and English and history courses that focus on highlighting social problems, I would have to say that much of the instruction that I see taking place mirrors the instruction of the 1950's that came about when Rudolf Flesch and his ilk blamed public schools for being the reason "Johnny Can't Read." While individuals with money and influence may be able to pay tuition or pull strings and get their children into more progressive private and charter schools, that option just

doesn't seem to be available to the population at large.

And the sort of privatization that our current NC

legislators are in favor of would never lead

to progressive pedagogy to bring

about social change.

References

Picture of an elementary social history classroom in John Dewey's Chicago Laboratory School, circa 1900

References for "What is Progressivism"

Cohen, L. M. (1999). Philosophical perspectives in education. Retrieved October 12, 2018, from https://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP3.html

Design Thinking for Educators. (2013, January 24). When design thinking meets education - sparks fly [Photograph]. Retrieved October 12, 2018, from https://www.goodnet.org/articles/832

Merriam-Webster. (2018). Definition of progressivism. Retrieved October 12, 2018, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/essentialism.

The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Project. (n.d.). The progressive era (1890 - 1920). Retrieved October 12, 2018, from https://www2.gwu.edu/%7Eerpapers/teachinger/glossary/progressive-era.cfm.

References for "Progressivism: A History"

Ornstein, A. C., & Hunkins, F. P. (2016). Curriculum: foundations, principles, and issues (7th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.

Sass, E. (n.d.). American educational history timeline. Retrieved October 12, 2018, from http://www.eds-resources.com/educationhistorytimeline.html

References for "Key Figures of Progressivism"

Ornstein, A. C., & Hunkins, F. P. (2016). Curriculum: foundations, principles, and issues (7th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.

Segarra, E. (2013, April 14). 18th century advice: Thomas Jefferson on education reform. Retrieved October 14, 2018, from https://www.dailysignal.com/2013/04/14/18th-century-advice-thomas-jefferson-on-education-reform/

References for "Impact on Education"

The University of Chicago Faculty. (n.d.). John Dewey - philosophy and education [Photograph]. Retrieved October 14, 2018, from https://www.lib.uchicago.edu/projects/centcat/fac/facch08_01.html