Educational Philosophies

• Perennialism

  • Realism

• Essentialism

  • Idealism and Realism

• Progressivism

  • Pragmatism

• Reconstructionism

  • Pragmatism

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Ornstein and Hunkins; Doll; Oliva identified four type of educational philosophies also. Wile and Bondi five

Perennialism: relies on the past-universal knowledge and agreed upon values; human nature is constant. goal of education is to cultivate the intellect.

Essentialism: curriculum should be geared to the 3 R’s or academics; concerned with the contemporary scene

Progressivism: problem solving and scientific inquiry are the tools of learning; emphasis on how not what to think

Reconstructionism: society centered education that takes into consideration the needs of society (not just the individual) and all classes (not just middle class)

Equality of educational opportunity

Coleman and Gardner