There are units on African-American scientists, African and Norse myths, Maya culture and more. Diversity rules even in gym class, where students perform American Indian dances. The new curriculum is far more demanding, but students rise to the challenge. Now I know differently. Even in remedial classes, there's a lot of enthusiasm.
Test scores suggest as much.
Other core-knowledge schools with large populations of disadvantaged students report similar gains. But if Hirsch's schools prove that traditionalism doesn't equal mind-numbing learning, Sizer is right to make the culture of schools a priority. At Hope Essential, breaking the school day into large blocks makes relationships between students and teachers more personal. In turn, student attendance is up, discipline problems are down. Interdisciplinary instruction gives students a richer understanding of what they are learning, exemplified in the student exhibitions so important to Sizer as alternatives to standardized tests.