The Power of Paideia Schools

Book excerpt: Beginning in 1982 philosopher Mortimer Adler led a group of educators and scholars in publishing a trilogy of books on what they called "Paideia" educational reform. The first book, The Paideia Proposal, had a profound effect on most of the major reform efforts that followed, and Paideia principles--including the then radical notion that "all children can learn"--eventually permeated the educational dialogue. Merging the conservative idea of a classical education with progressive ideas about teaching and learning, Paideia educators strive to provide all children with a rigorous and meaningful education--one that respects cultural diversity while equipping students with the knowledge and skills required for full participation in a united, democratic society. Since 1988 the National Paideia Center (NPC) at The University of North Carolina has encouraged and supported a dramatic resurgence in Paideia education. In The Power of Paideia Schools: Defining Lives Through Learning, NPC Director Terry Roberts and his coauthors cite schools throughout the United States as they provide a blueprint for the Paideia school. Readers will learn about the "three-column" approach to instruction, the core curriculum, scheduling options, and meaningful assessment from the Paideia perspective. Combining thoughtful educational philosophy with real-world results, the authors offer a persuasive argument for a classical education that meets contemporary challenges.