1. Philosophy of Education
1.1. Idealism & Perennialism
1.1.1. Key Researchers
1.1.1.1. Greek Philosopher, Plato
1.1.1.2. Plato was always at a constant search for truth.
1.1.1.3. He believed in engaging in dialogue with individuals.
1.1.2. Purpose and Goals
1.1.2.1. Intellectual purpose of schooling
1.1.2.2. Search of truth through ideas rather than the world of matter
1.1.2.3. Transform lives and bring out the good in individuals and education
1.1.3. Role of the Teacher
1.1.3.1. Dialect Method
1.1.3.2. Doctrine of Reminiscence
1.1.3.3. Pose questions and discuss content being taught
1.1.3.4. Central role model in the classroom and guides the students
1.1.4. Nature of Curriculum
1.1.4.1. Core curriculum
1.1.4.2. 3 R's of Education
1.1.4.3. Classics, Literature, and Humanities
1.1.4.4. Studies of history and civilizations
1.1.5. Method of Instruction
1.1.5.1. Dialect Method
1.1.5.2. Lecture from time-to-time
1.1.5.3. Take active parts in their students' learning
1.1.5.4. Encourages students to work both individually and collaboratively in groups
2. Curriculum and Pedagogy
2.1. Major Stakeholders
2.1.1. State Senators
2.1.2. House of Reps
2.1.3. State Superidendent
2.1.4. School Board Rep
2.1.5. Local Superidendent
2.2. Humanist Curriculum
2.2.1. Traditional and liberal arts at the cornerstone
2.2.2. Present the best of what has been taught and written
2.2.3. Transmit a common body of knowledge
2.2.4. National Education Association's Committee of Ten Reoprt
2.2.5. Students do not know enough about their cultural heritage and they need to learn about traditional liberal arts and on some Western Tradition
2.3. Mimetic Tradition
2.3.1. Transmit specific knowledge to students
2.3.2. Emphasizes the relationship between the student and teacher
2.3.3. Importance of rational sequencing in the learning process
3. Equality of Opportunity
4. Educational Inequality
5. Educational Reform
6. History of U.S. Education
6.1. 1837 Horace Mann's Reform Effort
6.1.1. The first state "normal school" established in Lexington, Massachusetts in 1839.
6.1.2. Arguments for the establishment of the "Common School"
6.1.2.1. Free publicly funded elementary schools
6.1.3. Spoke of the school as a preparation of citizenship and the "Balance Wheel"
6.1.3.1. The great equalizer of the conditions of men
6.1.4. Believed that schools can change the social order.
6.1.5. Believed that education can foster social mobility.
6.1.6. Responsible for faith and support that many people give to public schools in the U.S.
7. Sociology of Education
7.1. Functional Theory
7.1.1. Stresses the interdependence of the social system.
7.1.2. Researchers make examinations as to how all parts of the society work together.
7.1.3. Views society as a machine that contains different parts and energy to make society work.
7.1.4. Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)
7.1.4.1. Moral Education (1962)
7.1.4.2. The Evolution of Educational Thought (1977)
7.1.4.3. Education and Sociology (1956)
7.1.5. Moral unity is necessary for social cohesion and moral values are the foundation of society.
7.1.6. Schools socialize students into appropriate values
7.1.7. Creates structures, programs, and curricula that are technically advanced, rational, and encourage social unity.
7.2. Education and Mobility
7.2.1. Social mobility begins at the schoolhouse door.
7.2.2. Americans believe that more education leads to economic and social mobility.
7.2.3. Individuals rise and fall based on their merit.
7.3. Teacher Behavior
7.3.1. Teachers are models for students as instructional leaders.
7.3.2. Teachers set standards for students and influence student self-esteem and sense of efficacy.
8. Politics of Education
8.1. Conservative Perspective
8.1.1. Developed by Sociologist, William Graham Sumner. Viewed human and social evolution as adaptation and changes to the environment.
8.1.2. Believes that individuals and groups must compete in the social environment to survive.
8.1.3. Believes that schools should ensure that all students have the opportunity to compete individually.
8.1.4. Believe in "Back to Basics", return to a traditional curriculum, and accountability for students/schools.
8.1.5. Views the role of the school as essential to both economic productivity and social stability.
8.2. Traditional Vision
8.2.1. Consists of hard work, family unity, and individual initiative.
8.2.2. View the schools as necessary to the transmission of the traditional values of U.S. society .
8.2.3. Believe the schools should pass on the best of what was and what is.