Source: Dias, P. (1992). Cultural literacy, national curriculum: What (and how) does every Canadian student really need to know? English Quarterly, 24(3-4), 10-19.
On your own, READ the following:
• p.10-11 (excluding the last sentence on page 11)
• p.14 (Starting at “Reading and Knowing”) to p.16 (top) to the sentence “The question remains…from secondary school?”
As you read, consider and jot down some responses to:
1. What are Hirsch, Cheney, Ravitch, and Finn promoting and what is their rationale for doing so?
2. What are Dias’ main concerns with respect to what Hirsch & company are advocating? What is Dias advocating for?
Once you finish reading the pages above and taking notes on Questions 1-3, form a group of 3-4 people.
As a group, discuss your answers to Questions 1, 2 & 3:
1. What are Hirsch, Cheney, Ravitch, and Finn promoting and what is their rationale for doing so?
2. What are Dias’ main concerns with respect to what Hirsch & company are advocating? What is Dias advocating for?
3. What are some of the pros and cons of having a common and pre-determined set of required knowledge that students (K-12) must attain?