The Hannah Frankman Podcast Andrew Bernstein: The Decline of American Education
Oct 31, 2024
Andrew Bernstein, a philosophy professor at Marist College and author of 'Why Johnny Still Can’t Read or Write or Understand Math And What We Can Do About It', dives deep into the troubling decline of literacy and math skills in American education. He highlights the historical factors contributing to this decline, critiques ineffective teaching methods, and emphasizes the foundational role of reading. Bernstein passionately advocates for a return to phonics in teaching and shares practical advice for parents to foster a love of reading in their children.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Historical Literacy in America
- Early American literacy rates were remarkably high, evidenced by sophisticated political essays like the Federalist Papers being written for the average person.
- College graduates today often struggle with these essays, indicating a decline in reading comprehension abilities.
The Impact of Progressive Education
- Progressive education in the early 20th century aimed to differentiate education based on perceived intellectual ability.
- This led to a decline in academic standards for many students, as the focus shifted from academic training to vocational training for those not deemed elite.
Modern Literacy Tests
- Expose children to a variety of high-quality literature, even if the language seems complex.
- Use more recent works like Hemingway or Steinbeck to gauge reading comprehension in today's context.