“Back to the Basics” Kristy Reyes SEED 501 Essentialism “Back to the Basics” Kristy Reyes SEED 501

What is Essentialism? Essentialism is an education theory that focuses on teaching students the basic skills and subjects that are essential to human culture. Gutek described Essentialism as a theory that“asserts that schooling, instruction, teaching, and learning need to focus on the basics—on what is really necessary to become educated, productive, effective, and capable individual and citizen in American society” (Gutek, 2004, p. 263) Essentialism today in education is known as Standard- Based Education (SBE) or Basics Education

What are the Basics? Literature Science Math Foreign Language History

What do you think? According to Gutek, “Essentialists argue that civilized people learn effectively and efficiently by using the knowledge that has been developed and organized by scientists, scholars, and other experts” (271). Do you agree with this? Why or why not?

Essentialism Background Essentialism was not always a philosophy, but the idea of what schooling should be always existed. William C. Bagley in the 1930s was the founder of the Essentialists’ platform. Other movements in Essentialism recurred after Essentialists’ platform.

Recurring Essentialists Movements Essentialists’ Platform Basics Education Movement “A Nation at Risk” Standards Movement No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

Why so many? Even though Essentialists saw the problems that were presented in American education, they strongly believed that there were quick solutions that could save education. They believed that if schools were: on task teaching essential skills and subjects; avoided diversions; insisted on high academic standards; and emphasized discipline, effort, and hard work in learning; then schools would be able to fix those issues that had been presented. Standardized Testing became an option to measure student achievement/proficiency.

Schools Implementing “Standards-Based Education” Lakota Middle School in Washington “determined that standards-based learning, through the establishment of challenging and appropriate learning targets in every course at each grade level, was the best approach to prepare our students with content knowledge mastery and 21st century skills” Created different learning targets to determine academic proficiency Uses a different grading scale, uses BAME (Below, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding) Scale to measure if students are achieving at the level they are suppose to.

Schools Implementing “Standards-Based Education” Whitford Middle School in Oregon The district’s Standards-Based Learning system “is a teacher- led, principal-guided commitment to ensure high standards for all students by building a system…” System: Create Learning Targets  Moderations  Proficiency Created Learning Targets for Academics and Behavior Grading Scale is also different (see attached picture on next slide)

Strengths of Standards-Based Education Lakota Middle School students are more concerned in fully-understanding the material that will be tested instead of grade Students focus completely on mastering a topic instead of just doing homework or other work to get the credit Teachers also have the benefit to focus more on a specific area of the content and create lessons that will make the students in the class more successful Whitford Middle School Teachers and administration like the concept of having a standards-based education because it allows students to fully understand and explain what they are learning Clear Thoughts not only create Learning Targets for the course, but it has also creating Learning Targets for Behavior/Personal Management

Continued-Whitford Middle School Flexibility for Individual Learners Specific Learning

Weaknesses for Standards Based Education Lakota Middle School students do not have anything else to rely on for their grades Since homework and classroom will not be included in their grades, students might decide not to do the work and therefore do not practice what has been taught in class Whitford Middle School Teachers can be spending more time on direct instruction instead of letting students work in groups/independently.

U.S. Implementing Standards-Based Education Strengths Higher academic performances Strong academic foundations Disciplined and hard- working students Better classroom management Weaknesses Teachers “teaching to the test” at times Students mimicking teacher’s notes Too much direct instruction-constant guidance No focus on non-basic courses (arts, physical education)

SBE Implemented with Christian Philosophy and Just SBE Similarities Students in both types of schools are all seen equality and they all deserve the same education (all learn basic education)-Genesis 1:27 teachers would be teaching good discipline and morals to the students Differences Schools that implement both a Christian Philosophy and a Standards- Based Education have a focus on implementing a Christ-centered education.These schools include a Biblical-based curriculum that allows students to not only grow intellectually, but spiritually as well. the school that only implements the theory is leaving an important aspect out of that proficiency (Christ)

Conclusion Many people can have very different views on Standards-Based Education. Although I have personally researched about Essentialism and SBE, I still do not know what I think about it and how I would feel if my job took place in this theory. However, it is important to go over theories like Essentialism that can take place in our own jobs. What do you think about SBE? And do you see yourself implementing this in your classroom? Why or why not?

Reflective Questions What is the main idea of Essentialism? How do you think students and teachers can benefit from Standards-based education? How do you think that it can be a negative aspect?

Sources “Beaverton School District” Retrieved from http://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/home/departments/instruction /proficiency/ “Lakota Middle School” Retrieved from http://schools.fwps.org/lakota/about/standards-based- education/ “William G. Bagley” Retrieved from http://essentialistphilosophy.wordpress.com/2013/02/16/what- is-essentialist-educational-philosophy/ “Whitford Middle School” Retrieved from http://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/whitford/Standars_Based_Lear ning.shtml