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Although a complex movement, social reconstructionism held to four broad ideas: it attacked laissezfaire economics and called for centralized economic planning; it called for a nationalized, centralized educational system; it sought to professionalize and organize American teachers; and it wanted to break the power that local elites (especially businessmen) often held over education. Almost all reconstructionists wanted to replace the individualistic thrust of American education with a more community-oriented curriculum. Although nearly all reconstructionists disavowed Marxism, what many hoped to teach was an Americanized version of "class consciousness." A group of reconstructionist historians argued that "the age of individualism and laissez-faire in economy and government is closing," and that "a new age of collectivism is emerging." A revolution in American education seemed about to begin.
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This section contains 130 words (approx. 1 page at 300 words per page) |
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