The Paideia Proposal

An Educational ManifestoBy Mortimer J. Adler

Adler’s View of Education

“There are no unteachable children. There are only schools and parents who

fail to teach them.”Adler pg. 8 The Paideia Proposal

Democracy and how it relates to education

• Education is lifelong

• Schooling does not complete education

SAME COURSE OF STUDY FOR ALL

Acquisition of Organized Knowledge

Development of Skills of Learning

Enlarged understanding of Ideas and Values

Didactic Instruction Lectures and Responses

Coaching, Exercises and Supervised Practice

Socratic Questioning and active Participation

•Language Literature Fine Arts•Math and Natural Science•History Geography Social Studies

•Reading Writing Speaking Listening•Calculate Problem Solve Observe Measure Estimate•Exercising Critical Judgment

Discussion of books and other work of art

And Involvement in artistic activities (music drama art)

Adapted from Adler’s The Paideia Proposal

Concepts that work

• Life long learners• Active learning not passive• Standards of quality

Equality for All

• Preschool learning (2-3 years)• Same educational objectives• Same course of study • No electives for the 12 years• Satisfactory standard of

accomplishment

“The thrust of our argument so far has been that basic schooling ought to prepare every child to learn a living and live a good life. But there is one more reason for exerting every effort to improve basic schooling. We must also do it to preserve our free institutions.”

Adler page 77 The Paideia Proposal