Philosphies on education

Only students who master all the required material will move on to a higher level. Progressivism, Social Reconstruction and Existentialism are the three main student-centered philosophies. Students work in small groups, moving and talking freely, while the teacher walks around asking questions and making suggestions. These philosophies answer the questions to what school means, and how to approach curriculum. They build curriculum with the experiences, interests and ability of the students. In a perennialists classroom they read “Great Books” by Darwin, Shakespeare and Homer. In a social reconstrutionists classroom, intellectually emotional discussions take place among the students. They choose their preferred curriculum and determine the direction of their learning. When elective courses are offered in essentialist classrooms, they focus on creativity and basic techniques. Perennialists organize their school around books and factual information. The only elective option for a perennialist student is foreign language. Each student determines how he or she will learn.

Student-centered philosophies are less concerned with curriculum and concentrate more on how to improve society. , science, literature and foreign language.