hirsch and sizer

. Using quotes from the text make arguments of your own that address (in a paragraph or two each) one or more of the following angles:

Hirsch's main argument was that when compared a community college was not able to obtain the same level of understanding of the American civil as a University could. This is understandable because a community college doesn't offer the same educational opportunity's as a university does. Hirsch then came up with the concept of cultural literacy, which is understanding the back round information of the topic your learning about and then learning the fine details. Although his theory's have been criticized and he has kept on with his work and made several books on curriculum starting at kindergarten going up to 6Th grade.

Sizer was known as the father of the essential school movement, this movement brought both public and private schools to a common understanding of a common principle. The principle was that students are part of a community and in that community they are the workers, while the teachers are meant to be mentors or a coach. Although his principle started with only 12 schools it expanded to several hundreds. Sizer's inspiration sprang from personal seminal books that he wrote which later turned into a trilogy.

1. Do these theories contradict each other? Intellectually, emotionally, practically? In what ways do they? Could they be adapted to work together? Both Sizer and Hirsch brought up great points, Sizer with his idea of schools being a community and Hirsch stating that if students had more background information on topics learning specific points and dates would be a lot easier. These two theories don't contradict each other, they set a mode of aggression and determination. "Begun with 12 schools, the coalition now encompasses several hundred across the country, plus a handful overseas." Sizer's theory began in only 12 schools and then expanded to over a hundred schools, to me that shows a lot of determination and aggression. I think if both Sizer's and Hirsch's theory's where put together and really set into action education could go a lot farther and deeper then it is right now.

3. What additional points does reading these theorists make you think of, about your own education and philosophy? After reading "The principles hold, among other things, that a school is an egalitarian community and that the student is a valued worker in that community, with the teacher in the role of mentor or coach." It made me realize how School Of The Future has many teachers who take the roles of mentors and try to guide us instead of just spitting out ideas and teaching us things without giving us the deeper meaning. SOF has definitely made me stringer as a student.