Essentialism

Essentialism takes its name from the word essential: the main things, the basics that everyone needs. Where perennialism reaches for timeless great ideas, essentialism is more down to earth. It wants schools to instil in learners the essentials of academic knowledge and of character, the solid core a person needs to function and contribute.

The core belief

Essentialism is grounded in a conservative philosophy. It argues that schools should not try to radically reshape society. Their job is more modest and more focused: to transmit the traditional moral values and the intellectual knowledge that learners need to become model citizens. The school passes on what a society has already worked out, rather than setting out to remake it.

It also has a distinct view of which knowledge counts most. Essentialism places great importance on science and on understanding the world through scientific experimentation. To teach reliable knowledge about the world, essentialists emphasise instruction in natural science rather than non-scientific disciplines such as philosophy and comparative religion. This is a notable contrast with perennialism, which puts philosophy at the centre.

Flashcard

What does essentialism want schools to instil?

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Answer

The basics of academic knowledge and character

It is a conservative view: schools transmit traditional values and the knowledge a learner needs to become a model citizen, rather than trying to reshape society. It leans heavily on science.

The essentialist curriculum

The essentialist curriculum is built around the basics. Its core subjects are mathematics, natural science, history, foreign language, and literature. These are treated as the knowledge no educated person should be without.

Just as telling is what essentialism leaves out. It disapproves of vocational courses, life-adjustment courses, and anything else seen as having watered-down academic content. The worry is that softer offerings crowd out the rigorous core.

The curriculum also has a clear progression. In the early grades, learners receive instruction in foundational skills such as writing, reading, and measurement. Even in art and music, where creativity matters, learners are expected to master a body of information and a set of basic techniques, moving gradually from less complex to more complex skills and more detailed knowledge. The path runs from simple to complex, with mastery required at each step.

Flashcard

How does an essentialist curriculum sequence skills?

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Answer

Gradually, from simple to complex, with mastery at each step

Early grades cover writing, reading, and measurement. Even in art and music, learners master a body of information and basic techniques before moving to more complex skills and detail.