William Van Til: The Last Progressive?

IAP - Information Age Publishing, Inc. P.O. Box 79049, Charlotte, NC 28271-7047. Tel: 704-752-9125; Fax: 704-752-9113; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.infoagepub.com/american-educational-history-journal.html

Y

18

Educational Philosophy; Goal Orientation; Educational History; Biographies; Progressive Education; Social Justice; Leaders; Definitions

1535-0584

In 1999, the changing goals of American schools were explored in "Education Week" through the events, achievements, and personalities that had formed United States education in the 20th century. First a series of articles, the collection was later published in book form as "Lessons of a Century: A Nation's Schools Come of Age." The chapter titled "The Great Debate" encompassed the century-long battle between progressive and essentialist educational thought. One man who spanned this century of the "Great Debate" was William Van Til (1911-2006.) Van Til can be seen as the "last progressive" educator to comprehensively defend the accepted and prevailing beliefs of progressive school philosophy of the first half of the 20th century. The proposition that Van Til was the "last progressive" will be explored in this article. First, though, an acceptable definition of progressive education, or at least one with a reasonable consensus, must be determined. Next a review will be undertaken of Van Til's progressive educational bona fides as leader and thinker. Finally, the connection between his departure from the educational scene and the status of current progressive education thought and practice will be examined.

ERIC

38

2011

EJ911563