1. By: Jessica Hernandez, Kyra Martin, Sue Nam, Kristine Park
Critical Theory
By: Jessica Hernandez, Kyra Martin, Sue Nam, Kristine Park

2. The CRITICAL in Critical Theory
According to Gutek (2004), Critical Theory is one of the leading theories in education.
Represents the way Critical Theorists view extensive and analytical research on social and educational conditions of school
Shining light on the way society has been shaped and the way it shapes social institutions for the dominant class

3. Basic Overview

4. Class Struggle
Taking action about social institutions (including education and schooling) to question and consider educational targets, institutions, curriculum, instruction, and relationships to help raise awareness of class dominance
Who is the dominating class?
How do they keep their power and control?
Critical Theorists believe the school environment is where ideological rivalries battle against one another.
School helps maintain and reproduce power and control for one dominant class.

5. Critical Theory Approach
Influencing principles or assumptions
Critique existing institutions
Agenda for considered change or reform
SCHOOLS NEED EXTENSIVE REFORM TO BRING AWARENESS AND CHANGE TO EXPLOITATION.
CRITICAL THEORISTS BELIEVE THAT TEACHERS MAY BE ABLE TO HELP RAISE CONSCIOUSNESS AND SELF AWARENESS IN THEIR STUDENTS.

6. Philosophies of Life & Ideologies
Provides the descriptive and normative bases for social inquiry aimed at decreasing domination and increasing freedom in all their forms (Bohman, 2016)
Correlated with Marxism
It is influenced by the Marxist idea of social class and class struggle.
Also believed in the idea of social institutions that are influenced by the dominant class.

7. Liberation Pedagogy
Influenced by Ivan Illich & Paulo Freire
Do not agree with the holistic view of getting rid of schools entirely because they believe in the possibility of change and reform

8. Critical Theory & the Frankfurt School
The Frankfurt School is also known as the Institute of Social Research.
This is a social and political philosophical movement of thought located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
It is the original source of what is known as Critical Theory.
The Institute was founded in 1923 with the aim of developing Marxist studies in Germany.

9. The Grove Community School
“Canada’s first public elementary school focused on environmental education, community activism, and social justice” (

10. The Grove Community School
The Grove Community School, which is located in Toronto, Canada first opened in 2009.
“Grove is committed to critical pedagogy, an approach to teaching and learning that seeks to raise learners’ awareness of social justice and injustice” (Grove Community School Handbook, 2014).

11. The Grove Community School
Core values of the Grove Community School:
Social Justice
Equity
Diversity
Intended outcome is to support community
Environmentalism
Quality of children’s learning and life potential is related to health and wellness of interconnected social environments.
Community Activism
Community centered education
Action projects designed to meet multi-faceted needs of students

12. The Grove Community School
Strengths
Committed to teaching students against prejudice and discrimination.
Implementation of art across curriculum allows students to express creativity.
Students are taught critical thinking skills.
Weakness
The Grove Community School only teaches using inquiry based learning. This type of teaching does not take into account students with various needs.
Only subjective assessments are implemented.

13. The Grove Community School
Opportunities
Provides and creates a community within the school through collaboration with teachers, students, and the local community.
Through use of dialogue students learn to express themselves through developing their language skills and vocabulary.
Threats to U.S. Education System
Emphasis placed on social justice and environmental issues can weaken focus on academic content.
In an attempt to eliminate competition the extrinsic motivation is removed.
Universal values are not taught but become subjective.

14. Ontario Christian School
Core Values:
Vision - Train individual to be mature and unique within the family of God
Decision-making - Growth in right choosing, discernment, appreciation, right attitudes
Serving - Students must be trained how to act, respond, and apply Biblical principles
Philosophy:
Understand the relationships between the individual and God
Train students to live and respond to relationships commanded in God’s Word
Website link:

15. Ontario Christian School (continued)
(click for video)

16. Comparisons of two school approaches
Grove School
Places emphasis on student activity in the world around them
Social justice is the central focus of the learning process
Equity, sustainability, community activism, and diversity
Ontario Christian School
Curriculum that focuses more on the personal development of students.
Teachers are invested in primarily the academic achievement of students
Christ-centered community

17. Similarity of two school approaches
Both schools claim to implement a unique curriculum approach
Christian school uses Holy Scriptures to guide instruction whereas the public school utilizes societal issues and activism to guide instruction
Grove Community combines the Critical theory approach with collaborative assessments.
Ontario Christian combines Biblical principles with academic rigor to create a curriculum infused with both spiritual and natural necessities

18. POP QUIZ!!!
True or False?
Critical Theorists believe the school environment is where ideological rivalries battle against one another.
2. According to Gutek (2004), _______ ________ is one of the leading theories in education.
3. True or False?
Critical Theory is correlated with Marxism.