Philosophies of Education

Essentialism

Essentialism is the most commonly applied philosophy in the American system of public education. Often referred to as the “back to the basics” approach, essentialism focuses on what some educators consider as the essential elements of academic knowledge and character development. Originating in the late 1800s, essentialism's rise in popularity paralleled America's influx of immigration in the late 1800s and around the turn of the century. Losing favor briefly in the midtwentieth century with the adoption of more liberal educational philosophies, the essentialist movement was revived in the late 1950s and 1960s with the space race and the launching of Sputnik as a way to address students' needs for stronger math and science skills. This revival was again supported and promoted by the President's Commission on Excellence in Education through their 1983 report, A Nation at Risk.

Essentialist philosophy promotes cultural literacy, the traditional moral values, and the knowledge that students need to become productive American citizens. American virtues espoused by the philosophy of essentialism include respect for authority, perseverance, fidelity to duty, consideration for others, and practicality. Essentialism does not view schools as vehicles for societal change. It is important to note that essentialists believe that science and scientific experimentation provide insight into and understanding about the world. Essentialism therefore emphasizes natural sciences rather than nonscientific disciplines such as religion or philosophy. The nonscientific curriculum is often viewed as offering frills and has little, if any, place in the essentialist curriculum.

Building- and district-level administrators subscribing to essentialist thought will often promote and support basic and fundamental academic skills, including math, science, history, foreign language, and literature. A specific body of knowledge and basic techniques and skills are identified as the basis for a schoolwide curriculum that is academically rigorous and focused on mastery learning. This focus subsequently requires more core course requirements, a longer school day, a longer academic year, and more challenging texts. Instruction that takes place in the classroom is teacher directed and evaluated through the use of standardized test scores. Teachers and administrators work together to identify what is important for students to learn, both intellectually and culturally, and to ensure that students graduate as disciplined, practical, and capable American citizens.

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