From Lester Frank Ward to John Dewey: The Three Universal Curriculums

Abstract

The writings of Lester Frank Ward (1841–1913) on education over the last two decades of the 19th century were almost lost until they were brought to the attention of John Dewey (1859–1952). Ward had prophesied that the 20th century would require three universal curriculums to meet the American democratic prospect. Ward acknowledged that nobody knew what structure or form the three universal curriculums would take. It would be left to John Dewey and his fellow experimentalists to provide the answer.

Key words:

• curriculum
• curriculum structure
• curriculum synthesis
• progressive education
• public education
• general education.

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