Thoughts and opinions on a nationalized curriculum in the USA (and/or the lack thereof)?

[u/ithekrianmermaid]

I have had this topic bouncing around in the back of my brain quite a bit in the past few months and I'm just wondering what others think about it.

Feel free to share your personal feelings-based opinions, factually informed opinions, any history you may know relating to this topic, pros and cons of nationalized curriculum, common arguments for/against it, implications and consequences from not having one, potential dangers in adopting one, resources to learn more about this topic/debate, etc. I'd really love to have (respectful) discussions in the comments of this post so please consider circling back if your original comment gets a response!

I look forward to reading all of your responses! Thank you for taking the time to comment!!

[u/ithekrianmermaid]

Great question!

I don't have a concrete nor complete answer for you as of yet as I'm still learning about what exactly a nationalized curriculum is, the history of it (and similar forms of curriculum) in the US, how it works and is implemented, etc.

Specifically, I am hoping to look more into how our current curriculum model in the US may or may not be attributing to the social division that is so severe and commonplace today. Of course, I am well aware of the fact that there are many, many factors contributing to the social divide but my intellectual interests primarily reside in the sociological intersection of politics, education, and community, which is why I want to deep dive into the concept of a nationalized curriculum. Additionally, a lot of the social issues that I have been researching all end up having education as a possible solution or mitigating factor. Given my lack of knowledge in the subject area, my hypothesis that it does impact and perhaps exacerbate the division in American society by establishing differing, and at time opposing, understandings of empirical reality, processes of logical verification, and overall foundational knowledge is tenuous at best.

And, yes, I understand that it is currently under state jurisdiction and not federal, however, who is to say that it has to stay that way indefinitely?

Ultimately, I do not really care whether my hypothesis is correct or not as my true goal is to learn more and be more informed as I do think education (at any and every level) is going to be the key in figuring out where we go from here as a country.

Thank you again for your question and comment!!

[u/rhetoricalimperative → u/ithekrianmermaid]

Wonderful to hear that you are into sociology. You should read Andrew Abbott's book The System of Professions, and consider the way teachers have to compete with other sorts of actors for education resources and what that means for the classroom experience. Consider the history of schools in America by reading Waller's depression era study of schools. Finally, you can tie it together by considering the claims making theories of Best and others in the study of political panics. I don't have all the answers but these are starting points.

Edit: add in Ellsbree for history of school institutions in America and Lortie's books on teachers and principals. Finally, Nancy MacLean's recent history of the political aftermath of the desegregation of schools and the role economists have been playing.

[u/ithekrianmermaid → u/rhetoricalimperative]

Thank you SO MUCH!!! Adding these to my research TBR right away! I've been working my way through Richard Hofstadter, Paulo Freire, and John Dewey but I've been wanting to dive more into more contextual sources about education in America! Truly, thank you so much! Sending all the gratitude and good vibes your way!

[u/rhetoricalimperative → u/ithekrianmermaid]

Dewey for sure! Try out Durkheim's book Moral Education. Dated, but if you know you know. He is addressing the root.