Biography on e d hirsch philosophy
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On my Facebook and Twitter pages I have a weekly segment called Wednesday Wisdom, where I provide quotes from great thinkers in various fields. One topic I return to often is education, for I view my central calling in life as that of a teacher. One of my favorite educational reformers is E. D. Hirsch, Jr. His books have influenced my general view of education in America, and I have used them in the education of my own children.
What follows is a brief biography of Hirsch along with four of his provocative quotes on education, reading, and books that I’ve used in my social media #WednesdayWisdom segment. I also react to these nuggets of wisdom and hope you’ll find them useful too.
Who is E. D. Hirsch?
E. D. Hirsch (born 1928) is a leading American educator and literary critic. He is professor emeritus of education and humanities at the University of Virginia. Hirsch is best known for his work on cultural literacy and is the founder and chairman of the Core Knowledge Foundation.
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Editor’s note: “E.D. Hirsch Jr.: The Twentieth Century’s Liberal Conservative Educator” (6,389 words), bygd Dr. Jason R. Edwards, research fellow with The Center for Vision & Values and an associate professor of education and history at Grove City College.
Media Inquiries: If you would like to reach Dr. Jason R. Edwards for comment, please contact him at [email protected].
(Download the PDF paper here)
E.D. Hirsch Jr.: The Twentieth Century’s Liberal Conservative Educator
By Dr. Jason R. Edwards
I. Introduction:
E. D. Hirsch Jr. (1928- ) will forever be associated with the begrepp “Cultural Literacy.” Upon publication of his book bygd that title in 1987, Hirsch has tirelessly defended the rather simple premise that, in order to communicate effectively, people need to share a general body of knowledge. And consequently, a nation’s public schools should make a concerted effort to ensure that each of its citizens has that necessary knowledge.
Though a simple
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There is no disputing the influence of E.D. Hirsch, Jr. A familiar figure to parents, teachers and administrators, his books — ranging from Cultural Literacy, to his “Core Knowledge Series,” to his most recent book, The Schools We Need and Why We Don’t Have Them — can be found in bookstores across the country. Both conservatives such as Chester Finn and liberals such as Henry Louis Gates have supported his “Core Knowledge Series.”
Beneath the appealing titles and approaches, what is Hirsch’s basic message? What are the assumptions underpinning his message? Most important, what are the implications of Hirsch’s approach to education in a multicultural society?
Hirsch’s first book, Cultural Literacy,