Cultural Literacy According to E.D. Hirsch

To emphasize his point, Murray identifies the relevance of E.D. Hirsh Jr’s work on the importance of everyone having a body of core knowledge as a way of fostering reading speed and comprehension” (Hirsh, 235). Murray supports Hirsh’s main points that a person should be culturally literate about America and the West and that a person should be scientifically as well as geographically literate. However, he continues that these are items best learned in K-8 when young minds are open to myths and fables. At those ages young students are more able to absorb and learn names and dates. Traditionally, in the past, it seems that a person went to college to learn about history, science, art, music and literature. But having

by pointing out that while getting the basics of a liberal education are valuable and that most should receive it, he believes that this should and can take place prior to the level of the college education. Murray states that “for most students, the place to provide those basics are elementary and middle school.” He then goes on to cite E.D. Hirsch Jr. in his 1987 book “Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know” as his authority on the topic. Hirsch builds his template around the concept of a “core knowledge” that most need to know. Murray cites three points of Hirsch: 1) full participation in any culture requires familiarity with a body

Culture plays a vital role in the knowledge we develop. The practices we implement at home shapes our future. For example, as a child my mother would read books to me and often encouraged me to read the dictionary. As a result, upon entering kindergarten I was reading on a second grade reading level. In like manner, Bronfenbrener supports the theory that

The conversation and debates on cultural literacy should continue in every place in America since it helps us to understand and be tolerant of other cultures around us (Gay 2010). When we are familiar with all or some of the things that define America as a culture,

I can recall many people who have enriched my literacy development in some way or another throughout my life. The most influential literacy sponsors in my life include my mother, myself, my high school English teacher, and even my librarian. Even the authors Deborah Brandt, and Malcom X have supported my claim. The essay, “Sponsors of Literacy” was written by Deborah Brandt, who connected her writing with her sponsors. Malcom X’s essay, “Learning to Read”, reminded me of one of the most important things I know. These people, myself included, have made a crucial impact on the literacy information I have and will always need in order to succeed with literature and in life itself.

In “Preface to Cultural Literacy” by E. D. Hirsch, Jr., he claims that old theories is not transmitted engought basic knowledge information to young children. First Hirsch points out that it is not teacher or students fault that students did not get enough information about society, but the fault of curriculums, practices, and theories that are not helping students gain the background information that will help students learn about the society. Another time Hirsch reports that Jean Jacques Rousseau theory is wrong about young children that they should not receive an information about society before they understand it. Last, Hirsch believes that history of all the theories in the past is not giving us enough background information that will

In society today, people are judged by their level of education. Education is the key in society today. According to begintoread.com, today in the United States 1 out of 4 children grow up without learning how to read. Also at early stage of life the brain start developing and adjusting to the environment that they were raised in. In addition, books and education helps develop the brain especially in early age. According to the National Center for Education, Statistics shows that the majority of people who don’t complete high school have basic or below-basic literacy skills. 26% of prison inmates nationwide had parents who had not completed high school, and 37% of inmates had not completed high school themselves. Literacy is powerful in times of development because it leads to success in life and helps with solving a problem.

Some of the author’s major points are the lack of understanding of what cultural competence really means which is bringing confusion about ways it can be utilized in the social work field. The confusion of the utilization of cultural competence is leading to the lack of consensus concerning the effective training that providers should obtain and the population being served with the cultural competence skills lack clear description. According to the author, the most popular cultural competence intervention in the healthcare system is the cultural competency training which is for health care providers and the two approaches that have been utilized in creating the intervention are; the programs aimed at improving knowledge which is group specific,

Despite the state of the situation, Americans have developed a unique sense of identity and we can always seem to be optimistic we can benefit change. Whether we create change, follow change, or need change, this identity which brings it about represents all the people, and serves the good of all. The ability to reform, adapt, and recover as an American is unmatched. This theme of a developing identity continues to develop up to modern day and will never stop evolving. With new challenges arising on the horizon, it is our responsibility as the people to never forget our history, as it defines our identity, destiny, and most importantly, what it means to be

Ironically, this decline in reading shields young boys and holds them from molding into young men. Though, there is no surprise that the falling rates of political awareness coincides with declining levels of literacy reading. Advanced literacy is a intellectual skill that americans cannot afford to lose, if

Classroom learning should be taught based on reflecting on the culture and not a curriculum that doesn’t connect with students in particular those in urban settings. Looking into the mindset of both Delpit and Jenson student struggle with reading do to the lack of connection between social and cultural impact within the school curriculum. Without that connection students lose interest and it becomes a domino effect from generation to generation. As a result educators can close the achievement the gap.

Another perspective cited in the literature with increasing frequency suggests that literacy is more than the acquisition of reading and writing skills; it is also a social practice or social currency, and, as such, a key to social mobility (Gee 1991). Learning the hidden rules and cultural codes of the dominant culture, according to this perspective, facilitates upward mobility. To be successful in accessing educational and employment opportunities, members of minority groups must become bicultural, i.e., they must be able to function both in the culture of their identity group and in the dominant culture.

Literature opens our eyes to the different social and cultural standings around the world. For instance, in the book “Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini, Hassani's parents had believed that education was important and put hassani in school but they married her off at the young age of 13. She was sent away from her family to live with her husband and his family. Prior to reading this book, it was implemented in my brain that education is the

Education is held to the highest regard no matter what location one lives in. Without any form of education or knowledge on what shapes the world, the deeper connection between events and the human mind would lay untouched. In order for an individual to understand his/her country, it is imperative that they study cultural literature. It allows for an individual to gain stability in their own country as well as becoming open-minded about their surroundings and other cultures.

John Dewey, another educational philosopher believed “Education is a social process. Education is growth. Education is, not a preparation for life; education is life itself.” (Inc.) He felt that learning took place only when students had internalized what they had gained through experience and practiced it in their own lives. In a progressive classroom, the teacher designs experiences for students with the idea that through experience, students build knowledge and skills. A society of individuals conforming to studying flashcards may be good, but a society of literate individuals consciously aware of why and how the facts on the flashcards and in mass media can solve new problems is better.