I just finished this interesting book:
Hirsch, E. D. (1987). Cultural literacy: what every american needs to know. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co.
As one of my classmates stated “Hirsch believes many Americans are lacking “cultural literacy,” or a basic knowledge of any and all topics relevant to our country. He asserts that without background knowledge of cultural literacy, one cannot truly comprehend and think critically about what they read. Throughout this book, Hirsch emphasizes the need for cultural literacy to be taught in the schools, and he states that the schools are not doing enough to support cultural literacy in today’s students.”
I would say that (80%) of the students at my current school I would say are culturally literate on a global level by this I mean they have a good foundation of the basics in all subjects including world history but truly lack the ability to apply their knowledge in innovative and imaginative ways.
The majority of the students are very driven both by themselves and their parents (taking lots of AP’s and studying/cramming intensely for each and every class). Most of the rest say 18% have the ability to think creatively, imagine and innovate but do not do so on a very deep level because they are lacking cultural literacy. The students that truly shine are few and far between but they do so because they have both! Their creativity is build upon a really solid understanding of the basics therefore they don’t reinvent but innovate in totally new ways.
Interestingly enough our HS students are getting their acceptances and fifteen have been accepted into Ivy league schools. Knowing most of them they are the ones that have cultural literacy as a solid foundation and have the ability to apply it in innovative ways. Their ability to put this “Cultural Literacy + Innovative Authentic Application” has provided the outcome of “= Top College Acceptances.” Not that IVY acceptances is the only measurement of K-12 learning sucess but it is certainly held in high regard and provides evidence that both, cultural literacy and innovative, creative authentic expereiences are essential varibles that when put together equal a powerful combination.
