Lesson 2.1 - Philosophical Foundations

PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS
OF CURRICULUM
DEVELOPMENT
The Teacher and the School Curriculum

Educators, teachers, educational planners and policy
makers must have a philosophy or strong belief about
education and schooling and the kind of curriculum in
the teacher’s classrooms or learning environment.
Philosophy of the curriculum answers the questions like:
(1) What are schools for?; (2) What subjects are
important?; (3) How should students learn?; (4) What
methods should be used?; (5) What outcomes should be
achieved?; and (6) Why?

Various activities in school are influenced in one way or
another by a philosophy. John Dewey influenced the use
of “learning by doing,” he being a pragmatist. Or to an
essentialist, the focus on the fundamentals of reading,
writing and arithmetic are essential subjects in the
curriculum.

Philosophies in Education illustrated by
Ornstein and Hunkins in 2004

Perennialism
■ Aim: To educate the rational person; cultivate intellect
■ Role: Teachers assist students to think with reason (critical thinking
HOTS – Higher-Order Thinking Skills is a concept popular in
American education reform. It distinguishes thinking skills from
low-order learning outcomes, such as those attained by rote
memorization. HOTS include synthesizing, analyzing, reasoning,
comprehending, application, and evaluation).
■ Focus: Classical Subjects, literary analysis. Curriculum enduring
■ Trends: Use of great books (Bible, Koran, Classics) and Liberal Arts

Perennialism
Supporters of perennialism wanted a liberal education, which
implies an education rich with the classical works of man. The
purpose of education was the development of the mind rather
than the learning of a specific job skill. This position has often
been seen as elitist and has clashed with what the working class
need for the education of their children to be in a more practical
manner.

Perennialism
Perennialism believes that people are rational rather than
primarily emotional beings.
The focus of the classroom is not on the student but rather on the
subject matter. The classroom is preparation for life and not
design for real-life situations as in progressivism. The mind needs
to be developed properly before taking action. Through the study
of the greats it is assumed this will help the student become great.

Perennialism
■ Is perennialism a teacher-centered philosophy?
A perennialist teacher would have a classroom in which all the

students are treated the same way. Material is taught and
delivered to the students whether they like it or not. This is
because material is taught that is good for them rather than what
they like.
It is teacher-centered!

Essentialism
■ Aim: To promote intellectual growth of learners to become
competent
■ Role: Teachers are sole authorities in the subject area
■ Focus: Essential skills of the 3Rs; essential subjects
■ Trends: Back to basics, Excellence in education, cultural literacy

Essentialism
Essentialism is an educational philosophy or approach which
assumes and proposes that all children should learn the traditional
disciplines and basic essential subjects thoroughly and equally. It
can be defined as a doctrine that certain traditional concepts,
ideals, and skills that are essential to society should be taught
thoroughly and methodically to all students, without considering
individual conditions, capacity, ability, needs and interests (Sahin,
2018).

Progressivism
■ Aim: Promote democratic social living
■ Role: Teacher leads for growth and development of lifelong learners
■ Focus: Interdisciplinary subjects. Learner-centered, outcomes-based
■ Trends: Equal opportunities for all, Contextualizes curriculum,
humanistic education

Progressivism
Progressivism is a theory of education that is concerned with “learning
by doing” – that children learn best when pursuing their own interests
and satisfying their own needs.
Progressivists believe that people learn best from what they consider
most relevant to their lives. Progressivists center curriculum on their
needs, experiences, interests and abilities of students. Provoke
curiosity in students.

Reconstructionism
■ Aim: To improve and reconstruct society. Education for change.
■ Role: Teacher acts as agent of change and reforms.
■ Focus: Present and future educational landscape
■ Trends: School and curricular reform, Global education,
Collaboration and Convergence, Standards and Competencies

Reconstructionism
Reconstructionism is a philosophy of education that focuses on
empowering the learner to take control of their own learning. It has
been argued that this approach is most effective for learners who
struggle with more traditional and linear styles of learning.
This is an idea that has been around for a while, and many different
schools of thought influence it. In general, the goal of
reconstructionism in education is to eliminate any form of oppression
within the educational system. This includes racism, sexism,
homophobia, classism, and more.

Reconstructionism
This philosophy argues for equality among all people and the need for
society to work towards this goal constantly. In education, this means
removing any barriers or social factors that could hinder success.
Some of the ways it does so include:
• Ensuring equal access to quality schools;

• Providing low-income families with resources they may
otherwise not have (e.g., tutoring services); and
• Allowing students to be involved in leadership roles at school.

ANALYZE THE FOLLOWING:
Teacher H’s class is engaged in problem solving activity which in a
way is a reflection of the personal and social experiences. The purpose
of this activity is for the students to acquire the skills that can help
them in solving their own real-life problems. What philosophy can
best describe this?
Progressivism connotes growth and development. In this manner

learning comes best when things are being experienced, that is
learning by doing things. It involves participation of the students and
allows them to exercise freedom.

In the Social Science class of Teacher G, students identify the various
social and economic problems that require urgent solutions. They not
only discuss the ways to address it but also agreed to participate in
solving them. What kind of philosophy does this class uphold?
Reconstructionism covers the underlying factors that constitute

reality or society. In this regard, students are encouraged to become
involved in the problems whether political, social, or economical that
confront the society and be able to arrive at solutions in order to
reconstruct society.

After finishing the degree in Education, Teacher M learns that learning
never stops. In fact, she accumulates more knowledge after leaving the
portal of her alma mater. This typifies what kind of philosophy?
Progressivism connotes change, growth and development. It is an

active form of philosophy for it continues to evolve.

A curriculum should only include those that have survived the test of
time and combine the symbols of literature, history, and mathematics.
Thus, curriculum like this contains values that are constant and
universal. What philosophy describes this kind of curriculum?
Perennialism maintains that education involves confronting the

problems and questions that have challenged people over the centuries.
Thus there is a need to study classical tradition of great books.

“If a child can’t
learn the way we
teach, maybe we should
teach the way they
learn.”
- Ignacio Estrada

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PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

A perennialist teacher would have a classroom in which all the

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

• Ensuring equal access to quality schools;

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

Progressivism connotes growth and development. In this manner

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

Reconstructionism covers the underlying factors that constitute

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

Progressivism connotes change, growth and development. It is an

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

Perennialism maintains that education involves confronting the

The Teacher and the School Curriculum

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