perennialism focuses first on personal development, while essentialism focuses first on essential

skills.

Essentialism

Essentialism is also a subject-centered philosophy. Essentialism is the educational philosophy of

teaching basic skills. This philosophy advocates training the mind. Essentialist educators focus on
transmitting a series of progressively difficult topics and promotion of students to the next level.
Subjects are focused on the historical context of the material world and culture and move sequentially
to give a solid understanding of the present day. Essentialism is a common model in U.S. public schools
today. A typical day at an essentialist school might have seven periods, with students attending a
different class each period. The teachers impart knowledge mainly through conducting lectures, during
which students are expected to take notes. The students are provided with practice worksheets or
hands-on projects, followed by an assessment of the learning material covered during this process. The
students continue with the same daily schedule for a semester or a year. When their assessments show
sufficient competence, they are promoted to the next level to learn the next level of more difficult
material. William C. Bagley was one of the most influential advocates of essentialism.

First, they recognized the right of an immature student to the guidance of a well-educated, caring, and
cultured teacher. Second, they proposed that an effective democracy demanded a democratic culture in
which teachers impart the ideals of community to each succeeding generation of children. Third, they
called for a specific program of studies that required thoroughness, accuracy, persistence, and good
workmanship on the part of pupils.

Each of these educational philosophies has valid arguments; thus, it is often difficult to choose one over
the other. They, however, all seem to agree that education has a positive impact on society. It should
also be noted that while schools may have different cultures, their goal remains the same. And this is to
produce individuals who would contribute to the growth and development of society

Read more: William C. Bagley (1874–1946) - Early Career, Teachers College - Education, School,
University, and Educational - StateUniversity.com
https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/1780/Bagley-William-C-1874-1946.html#ixzz6b97ttvZ8

In idealism, the aim of education is to discover and develop each individual's abilities
and full moral excellence in order to better serve society.