| Abstrakt: |
This article looks into the aims and objectives of elementary education in the U.S. Several books and articles related to the aims of elementary education were identified in the process of preparing the present report and classified categories: (1) general comments which have a bearing on elementary education; (2) statements of goals which were deemed traditionalist; and (3) the more liberal or modernist viewpoints with respect to objectives. Statements of fundamentalist or essentialist aims for elementary education, which stressed classical humanism, fundamental knowledge, or the three R's (writing, reading, and arithmetic). Modernist and liberal proponents attempts to: (1) make the point that there are flaws and merits on both sides of most issues related to educational aims; or (2) take a moderate and nonconventional position with respect to elementary aims. Finally, it seems feasible to conclude that there is a striking agreement between traditionalists and modernists as to broad aims such as social responsibility and intellectual growth. |
