Hirsch and Cultural Literacy on McNeil/Lehrer News Hour

Summary

The transcript discusses a debate over the quality of American education, spurred by Ed Hirsch's book 'Cultural Literacy.' The book argues that understanding shared knowledge—like historical events and cultural references—is vital for societal cohesion. Hirsch criticizes modern schools for focusing too much on skills instead of content, which he believes leads to cultural illiteracy. A survey of teenagers revealed a lack of basic knowledge, like when the Civil War occurred or who Galileo was. Critics of Hirsch's views argue that defining cultural literacy is subjective and potentially elitist.

Takeaways

• 📚 A debate is ongoing about the quality of American education, with attention on cultural literacy.
• 📖 The book 'Cultural Literacy' by Ed Hirsch sparked praise and criticism, particularly its appendix of 5,000 items that culturally literate Americans should know.
• 🔍 Cultural literacy refers to the common knowledge shared by educated people, such as historical events, famous figures, and cultural references.
• 🎶 Many teenagers struggled to answer basic questions about cultural knowledge, such as identifying Genesis as both a band and a biblical book.
• ⚔️ A study revealed that a majority of 17-year-olds couldn't identify key historical figures, events, or time periods, like the Civil War or Winston Churchill.
• 🎓 Hirsch argues that shared knowledge, like knowing about the Civil War, binds society together and facilitates communication between different groups.
• 🏫 Hirsch criticizes schools for focusing too much on reading skills without enough emphasis on culturally rich content, contributing to cultural illiteracy.
• 🤔 Critics of Hirsch’s ideas believe that his views are elitist and question who decides what information constitutes cultural literacy.
• 📰 Cultural literacy helps individuals understand serious materials and participate effectively in society and the economy.
• 📉 Hirsch points to declining literacy rates over the past 15 years as evidence that fewer students today are culturally literate, including high-achieving students.

Q & A

What is the central debate mentioned in the transcript?

The central debate is about the quality of education that American students are receiving, specifically focusing on the concept of 'Cultural Literacy' introduced by Ed Hirsch.

What is 'Cultural Literacy' according to Ed Hirsch?

Cultural Literacy, as defined by Ed Hirsch, means being familiar with the common knowledge that educated people take for granted, such as important historical events, cultural references, and figures.

What is the 'new twist' to the old debate about education quality mentioned in the transcript?

The 'new twist' is the introduction of Ed Hirsch’s book 'Cultural Literacy,' which includes a list of 5,000 items that literate Americans should know.

Why did Ed Hirsch write the book 'Cultural Literacy'?

Hirsch wrote 'Cultural Literacy' to address what he sees as a decline in national literacy and to promote the idea that shared cultural knowledge is essential for societal cohesion and individual success.

What kind of content does Hirsch believe should be included in elementary education?

Hirsch believes elementary education should include culturally rich stories, such as those about historical figures like Grant and Lee, rather than generic or culturally neutral content.

Why does Ed Hirsch criticize how reading is taught in schools?

Hirsch criticizes the current reading instruction methods for focusing too much on skills and not enough on content that fosters cultural literacy.

What is the consequence of cultural illiteracy, according to Ed Hirsch?

According to Hirsch, cultural illiteracy threatens societal cohesion and limits individuals' opportunities to succeed in the economy and fully participate as citizens.

How do some critics view Hirsch’s concept of Cultural Literacy?

Some critics view Hirsch’s concept of Cultural Literacy as elitist, questioning who gets to decide which information is considered essential and relevant for cultural literacy.

What is one example of shared knowledge that Hirsch says is necessary for societal cohesion?

One example is knowing the dates of important historical events like the Civil War, which is the type of shared knowledge that Hirsch believes holds society together.

What evidence does Hirsch provide to support the claim that national literacy is declining?

Hirsch cites data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, showing fewer students can read at an advanced level today compared to 15 years ago, as well as declining scores on the verbal portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).