As progressive education has successfully replaced traditional education, it has filled up every classroom within an array of dubious theories and methods.

Particularly interesting is the absolutism of the people doing this. The propaganda is relentless that Sight-words are a valid way to teach reading, that Constructivism is the only way to go, that Common Core is the best way to organize a school, etc., etc.

Many people forget that all of these things are theories, never seriously tested in any systematic way.

Last week I happened to run into Quintilian, a very famous Roman educator from 20 centuries ago. In a few paragraphs he suggests very different ways of teaching children. Anybody planning a curriculum should consider Quintilian’s ideas. To me, they are much more human and affirmative than the stuff our professors come up with.

http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/bprice/180113

"K-12: let's listen to a real educator"