Question

E. D. Hirsch, in his book Cultural Literacy, has developed a list of things that all American students should know to be "culturally literate." Review Hirsch's book to determine the criteria for inclusion and exclusion on this (www.goodreads.com/book/show/76884 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.). What person(s) or group(s) should have the authority to create such a mandate?  

Answer 1

Answer.

In his book, Hersch develops a powerful critique of the American education system and traces the effects of the ''formalism'' in American thinking about education since the days of John Dewey. According to him, education has not lead to substantial literacy as it is based on the belief that the primary role of schools should be to help children develop their natural aptitudes rather than to impart information that takes cultural diversity into account. As a result, reading is a general has remained limited as an all-purpose skill that can be taught in a kind of cultural vacuum, without regard for content. teaching skills is not enough, and children need to learn these extensive facts in order for them to become functioning, literate adults.

For this, he proposed a list of strategies. Once children have mastered the skill of reading, their progress in education depends on acquiring knowledge as well as on extending their skill of reading further.

They need to start acquiring the necessary information at an early age and it doesn't matter if such information is vague and limited such as a fifth grader’s understanding of the epic ‘the Iliad’ , but for practical purposes it is enough to have a rough idea of what the names stand for.

Moreover, according to him, Along with the detailed study of individual subjects, all American schools teaching can benefit from an agreed body of general knowledge and this would ensure the children’s progression towards cultural literacy.