In its less rigid form, a curriculum based on this philosophy would tied, i.e., documented, to tests, to textbooks, to discreet list of facts that students should know. The ideas of essentialism go back to Plato . As opposed to Socrates, who thought it was important for students to learn from the past so that they could make a better future, Plato believed the purpose of schooling was to help students succeed in the world as it was. Obviously, Hirsch believes in this philosophy as the foundation of schooling in America. Supporting his ideas are politicians like William Bennett and Newt Gingrich.
Many parents agree.
They want their children to learn the same things they did and are uncomfortable when students learn to question, or adopt an idea different from their elders. The hidden curriculum is also very important. Therefore the various character education programs in the country draw strongly from this philosophy. This philosophy, in its purest form, is what one sees in Catholic schools, as well as other private and parochial schools in America. It is also very dominate in rural and small-town America.