John Dewey: An Examination of the Historical Arc of Public Education

• In Event: Dewey and Philosophical Inquiries in Democracy

Abstract

It is essential to examine the quest for democratic common schools in the 19th to mid-20th centuries, as the foundation for access to education for all, and consider this decade’s erosion of public education. This paper chronicled Dewey's call for democratic schools from his voluminous writings and letters as well as his quest for equitable educational opportunities. Additionally, through philosophical and historical content analyses, connections are made to the work of Horace Mann and illustrate the “historical arc” of public education. The purpose of this paper is to confront the struggles for public education through the writing of twentieth century philosopher John Dewey.

Authors

• Audrey Cohan, Molloy College

• Charles Howlett, Molloy College