Column: Common curriculum would boost national unity
Patricia Smith
While there is consensus that our country is deeply divided, there is confusion about the causes. E.D. Hirsch offers an explanation in his new book How to Educate a Citizen: The Power of Shared Knowledge to Unify a Nation. He points out that democratic republics such as ours are fragile, often collapsing because of citizens’ varying politics, religions and ethnic backgrounds.
Being aware of these natural antagonisms, our forefathers and early educators realized the importance of common schooling, especially early schooling. Thomas Jefferson wanted a school every 5 to 6 miles and George Washington left funds in his will for public education.