Three Principles For A New Progressivism

Abstract

Three principles are proposed for a new progressivism in primary school education. These establish the nature of individualism in education, the need to empower individuals through schooling, and an economy of means by which this can be achieved using progressivist methodology. The principles are worked out within a rational‐humanist framework and assume a constructivist rather than a social‐constructivist model of human development. It is suggested that progressive (or progressivist) axioms can benefit from their forced adaptation to a structured scheme such as the English/Welsh National Curriculum.