Why knowledge matters : rescuing our children from failed educational theories Cover Image

Book

Why knowledge matters : rescuing our children from failed educational theories / E.D. Hirsch, Jr.

Hirsch, E. D., Jr. (Eric Donald), 1928- (author.).

Summary:

In this provocative book, influential scholar E.D. Hirsch, Jr., addresses critical issues in contemporary education reform - over-testing, teacher blaming, preschool fadeout, and the persistence of achievement gaps over time. In each case, he shows how cherished truisms about education and child development have led to unintended and negative consequences. Drawing on recent findings in neuroscience and new data from France, he provides new evidence for the argument that a coherent, knowledge-based elementary curriculum is essential to providing the foundations for children's life success and ensuring equal opportunity for students of all backgrounds.

Record details

ISBN: 9781612509525
ISBN: 1612509525
Physical Description: 270 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Publisher: [Place of publication not identified] : Harvard Educational Pub Group, 2016.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 227-257) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Prologue: the tyranny of three ideas -- The invalid testing of students -- The scapegoating of teachers -- Preschool and the persistence of fadeout -- The dilution of the elementary curriculum -- The persistence of achievement gaps -- The tribulations ofthe common core -- The educational fall of France -- The knowledge-based school -- Epilogue: breaking free -- Appendix i: the origins of natural-development theories of education -- Appendix ii: translations of French reports -- Appendix iii: the Japanese early science curriculum.