INFLUENCES ON EDUCATION FROM THE PROGRESSIVE ERA
1
This is an example of real student work and is not a template to follow or a perfect model. It may
not follow all of the current instructions. Feedback comments are included so that you may see
some of the commendations and areas for improvement. However, please see the current
instructions and rubric and follow them rather than this example.
Influences on Education from the Progressive Era
XXXXX
EDUC 703
School of Education, Liberty University
XXXXX
Author Note
XXXXX
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to XXXXXXXXXXX
Email: XXXXX@liberty.edu
INFLUENCES ON EDUCATION FROM THE PROGRESSIVE ERA
2
Abstract
Education in the Progressive Era was a result of critics of traditional forms of education. Rather
than a central focus on outcomes in learning and education that was not necessarily focused on
the children themselves, themes of the progressive movement revolved around child-centered
learning that was age appropriate. Led by theorists such as John Dewey, it placed an emphasis on
the process of learning, problem solving, participation of the students and teachers, a democratic
process, and the creation of experiences that were relevant to those involved. The progressive
movement placed value on critical thinking and the learning that is gained while solving
authentic problems as well as creating meaningful experiences. Progressive education was at
times taken to extremes with education thinking that focused on the child alone with no adult
guidance or organized activities with learning. This excess in focus led to the eventual decline of
progressive education with critics believing that children were not learning what they needed to
learn. It was taken further into a blame on the schools for the perceived decline of the America
behind other countries. Although issues with progressive education exist, themes are still utilized
and evident today within a system that is again based on standards and outcomes.
Keywords: Progressive Era, progressive education, John Dewey, child-centered learning
INFLUENCES ON EDUCATION FROM THE PROGRESSIVE ERA
3
Influences on Education from the Progressive Era
Progressivism in education was a movement that began in response to changes many felt
were necessary within traditional education. The Progressive Era encompassed a timeframe in
education starting in the late 1800s to 1950s with its peak in the 1930s (Kliebard, 2004).
Affiliated with people including John Dewey, Jane Adams, and William Heard Kilpatrick;
progressive education placed importance on the student and the process rather than a focus on
outcomes alone (Smith, 2020). Although there is not one standard definition for progressivism,
there are many key themes that exist within this form of educational belief system. Key topics
included being student centered, a focus on relevant or local topics, problem solving, active
participation of those involved, as well as a utilization of a democratic process (Schultz et al.,
2013; Wraga, 2019). Progressive educators placed importance on the needs of the student with a
focus on the process of learning rather than outcomes alone. The eventual decline of
progressivism can be attributed to several factors, some of which were political (Kliebard, 2004).
The Great Depression as well as the Russian launch of Sputnik led to a feeling of decline in
academic standards in America. Critics such as William Chandler Bagley felt that progressive
education lacked rigor and did not teach children what they needed to know. Despite criticism
and the eventual decline of the progressive movement, aspects of this form of student centered
and relevant education today in the American Education system.
Summary and Context
John Dewey is a person whose ideas were a main focus during the Progressive Era. He
described progressive schools as being a result of discontentment with traditional education
(Dewey, 1938). He explained that traditional education imposes adult standards and subject
matters with methods unsuitable for children. Dewey criticized traditional education for its focus
can still be seen
INFLUENCES ON EDUCATION FROM THE PROGRESSIVE ERA
4
on the outcome rather than the process when learning. Progressive education was a way to base
education on the personal experience of the student rather than standards alone. John Dewey
placed importance on learning through relevant and quality experiences with this type of
education. He believed that students should be active participants in learning who by working to
solve authentic problems would gain the skills necessary for success in life (Schultz et al., 2013).
While progressive education does not have one single definition, it encompasses many
themes and ideas. Authentic and real problems were determined by those actively involved
(Schultz et al., 2013; Wraga, 2019). Students and educators alike were a part of the process to
determine a relevant need and then work to correct it. A scientific method was utilized with a key
aspect being the focus on local issues rather than a one size fits all approach. The learning style
was child-centered and focused on these relevant experiences as the subject matter. Democracy
was an additional aspect of the progressive movement where teachers would directly participate
in changes. Wraga (2019) gave many examples of educational reform during the Progressive Era
that utilized these principles of having those impacted identify local problems and work to fix
them to bring about change in their own educational systems.
The Progressive Education Association; created in 1919 by Marietta Johnson and
Stanwood Cobb, was based on seven principles of learning which did not place the focus on tests
and measurements (Kliebard, 2004). This association whose second honorary president was John
Dewey, held beliefs in the learning principles of: the freedom to develop naturally, interest as the
motivator of work, the teacher as a guide, the use of scientific study, attention to all aspects
affecting the child’s development, the cooperation between school and home, and the progressive
school itself as a leader in education.
INFLUENCES ON EDUCATION FROM THE PROGRESSIVE ERA
5
due to
Although progressive education rose to popularity due to disillusionment with traditional
education, its eventual decline occurred beliefs that the education system in America was
failing (Urban, 2013). Major events such as the Great Depression and later the Russian launch of
Sputnik led to a feeling that the schools were to blame for a decline in the country. Whether
accurate or not, these feelings served a political purpose in bringing about the decline of the
progressive movement. Rather than focusing on the process of learning, the focus turned to
outcomes and the belief that education was a matter of national security (Smith, 2020). These
fears regarding the belief that the America was falling behind have continued throughout the
years and can be seen more recently with Ronald Reagan’s focus on accountability through
higher standards and standardized testing and George W. Bush with No Child Left Behind
(NCLB) which continued accountability in education.
Despite the decline of progressive education, aspects of it can still be seen in recent years
with teachers working to incorporate meaningful and relevant experiences for students within
their curriculum (Schultz et al., 2013). Although teachers are subject to meeting external
expectations and standards, there are possibilities for them to find ways to incorporate
progressive ideas by creating learning opportunities for students to problem solve issues that are
relevant to them. This child centered focus is possible in classrooms and can be utilized today
when teachers are willing to create these experiences but also understand how to provide
evidence that learning is meaningful, connect theory to experiences, and utilize techniques to
analyze student work such as portfolios and student self-assessment (Sherman, 2009).
Critical Analysis
Education in the Progressive Era placed importance on the child as an individual which
meant creating authentic learning experiences that were relevant to the needs of children rather
INFLUENCES ON EDUCATION FROM THE PROGRESSIVE ERA
6
he could also be considered a critic. Although Dewey was a critic of traditional
standards to teach children what they should know (Kliebard, 2004). Irving Babbitt
than a standardized education for all no matter their differences (Dewey, 1938). As one of the
predominant names associated with the progressive movement, John Dewey believed in a child-
centered approach to learning, the use of problem-solving as a way to learn authentically, the use
of relevant experiences, and use of the democratic process (Wraga, 2019). There was emphasis
placed on the process and critical thinking as aspects of learning while problem solving rather
than on outcomes alone. Critics of progressive education such as Arthur Bestor Jr. could not
fully support that it did not utilize specific academic disciplines such as reading, writing, and
arithmetic (Urban, 2013). Bestor was a key person who led a campaign against this type of
was an
additional critic of John Dewey and progressive ideals who believed that children were born
selfish and should be looking inward rather than outward in regard to education and development
(Smilie, 2019).
An interesting twist in regard to criticism of the progressive movement is that even
though John Dewey was a central figure within the Progressive Era who believed in many of the
principles,
(Kliebard, 2004). In this speech, he raised doubts regarding the direction of the association and
education and encouraged child-centered learning through quality experiences (Dewey, 1938), he
education by blaming schools for the decline of America. William Chandler Bagley falls in this
line of criticism as well with his belief that progressive education did not meet the necessary
did place value on contemporary education theory as well as practice (Mintz, 2016). He warned
against excesses within child-centered learning and acknowledged pitfalls of this type of
thinking. Dewey became more critical of progressive education as it continued with an example
being his acceptance speech as an honorary president of the Progressive Education Association
INFLUENCES ON EDUCATION FROM THE PROGRESSIVE ERA
7
questioned aspects of the movement that focused solely on the child with no guidance from
adults and no organized subject matter. He felt that it was the duty of teachers and adults to
provide guidance and framework within organized activities and not completely leave children to
their own devices. Evidence on the importance of guidance can be seen in the Bible as well. The
Bible says, “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is
safety” (King James Bible, 1769/2020, Proverbs 11:14).
Conclusion
Educational themes prominent during the Progressive Era emerged due to a
disillusionment with traditional forms of education. Rather than utilizing the same approach for
all that was not necessarily geared toward children, progressive ideas placed an importance on
the individual needs of the children themselves. Themes included the recognition that children
were unique with differing needs. Importance was placed on the process of learning rather than
the outcomes alone. Those involved, whether the teacher or the student, were active participants
in the process of learning who used relevant experiences that were often of their choosing. They
were able to identify problems that mattered to them and their situation and use critical thinking
to solve them rather than be subject to blanket reform from those who were not directly involved.
There was importance placed on a democratic process which helped lead to participation and
meaningful experiences for students and teachers.
Unfortunately, due to events occurring in the world near the decline of the progressive
movement and a general thinking that schools were to blame for these same issues, this form of
education met its end to be replaced with more accountability and standards-based learning.
Certain ideas within progressive education such as child-centered learning were taken to the
extreme with little to no organization or guidance from teachers. Reminiscent of progressive
INFLUENCES ON EDUCATION FROM THE PROGRESSIVE ERA
8
education, evidence can be seen in recent years of a renewed priority placed on student needs in
response to years of focus placed on standards-based learning. Although pitfalls were present
within progressive education ideals, aspects of this type of learning such as a focus on the child
and relevant experiences are still utilized today within standards-based education.
INFLUENCES ON EDUCATION FROM THE PROGRESSIVE ERA
9
References
Dewey, J. (1938). Experience and education. Simon and Schuster.
King James Bible. (2020). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/
(Original work published 1769).
Kliebard, H. M. (2004). The struggle for the American curriculum: 1993-1958 (3rd ed.).
RoutledgeFalmer.
Mintz, A. I. (2016). Dewey’s ancestry, Dewey’s legacy, and the aims of education in
“Democracy and Education.” European Journal of Pragmatism and American
Philosophy, 8(1), 23-35.
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=pif&AN=PHL2357476&site=e
host-live&scope=site
Schultz, B. D., McSurley, J., & Salguero, M. (2013). Teaching in the cracks: Student
engagement through social action curriculum projects. International Journal of Critical
Pedagogy, 4(2), 53-68. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/234819757.pdf
Sherman, S. C. (2009). Haven’t we seen this before? Sustaining a vision in teacher education for
progressive teaching practice. Teacher Education Quarterly, 36(4), 41-60.
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=47331633&site=ehos
t-live&scope=site
Smilie, K. D. (2019). Irving Babbitt and the service-learning ethic: An early critique of Deweyan
progressivism. Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, 25(1), 55-61.
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1211190&site=eh
ost-live&scope=site
Smith, S. J. (2020). Windows into the history and philosophy of education. Kendall Hunt.
Urban, W. J. (2013). Anti-progressivism in education: Past and present. International Journal of
Progressive Education, 9(1), 14-24.
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=AJ1006714&site=eh
ost-live&scope=site
Wraga, W. G. (2019). The pragmatic progressives. American Educational History Journal,
46(2), 111-129.
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1226046&site=eh
ost-live&scope=site
.
10
INFLUENCES ON EDUCATION FROM THE PROGRESSIVE ERA
