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Monday, January 14, 2013

Modern School: Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi—Father of Modern Education

Modern School: Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi—Father of Modern Education:


Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi—Father of Modern Education

Pestalozzi by Francesco Ramos (late 18th-early 19th century, Prado) {{PD-US}}

Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi (January 12, 1746—February 17, 1827) was a Swiss pedagogue and education reformer who believed that every individual had the ability to learn and the right to an education. He was also a strong believer in personal liberty and an advocate for the poor. Many of the principles of modern pedagogy have their roots in Pestalozzi’s philosophy and practice, including the ideas of student-centered, inquiry-based learning; a focus on the child’s interests and needs; cooperation and communication between the teacher and the parents; 

Declining Birthrates, Improving Odds for College Admission

"Give-Us-Ed-Jew-K-Shun" (Image from Flickr, by Anelieke B)

Over the last decade, competition for college admission has been intense due to increasing numbers of high school graduates, a number that peaked at 3.4 million in 2012-2011, according to the Los Angeles Times. However, over the next decade, competition is expected to drop, as the number of high school graduates will decline due to lower birthrates and immigration. For the 2013-2014 school year, it is estimated there will be 3.21 million high