Introduction to Classical Curriculum
It’s back to the future at Village Green Elementary School in Olympia Heights. The school has adopted the classical education curriculum, making it the first public school in South Florida to do so. This curriculum is a favorite of the MAGA movement nationwide and of Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida. Supporters say it emphasizes critical thinking and moral character.
The New Approach
One teacher, Geraldine Cameron, told us she can already see the difference the new curriculum is making among her kindergarten students, compared to last year. “I’m really loving it, we see that we’re going back to basics, things that are working, have worked for many years,” said Cameron. “Personally, that’s how I grew up, so it’s a new thing, but it’s also something that is tried and true, and we’ve seen also a big difference in how quickly the kids are grasping concepts.”
Funding and Support
At a ceremony Tuesday, with a chorus of kids singing God Bless America, two state legislators delivered a $500,000 check to the school. State Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez and state Rep. Mike Redondo secured the funding, half a million dollars to implement the classical curriculum championed by Miami-Dade School Board Member Monica Colucci, who was a teacher for 26 years.
A Different Approach
Colucci explained how this classical curriculum is different from what she taught. “This curriculum is a little bit different because it focuses on virtue, logic, critical thinking, and we’re always done that, but now you really have a focus on the development of the whole child,” Colucci said, pointing out the holistic approach of the program.
Criticism and Controversy
However, not everyone is a fan of the new curriculum. Antonio White, president of the United Teachers of Dade, said it’s simply unfair to give this one school, which only has 203 students, $500,000 at a time, he says, when the state is critically underfunding public education in general. “Almost everything they’re touting is already taught in public schools; they just want to teach it with a different slant,” White said. “You know, old classical instruction kind of whitewashes a lot of our history.”
Politics and Education
With the concept being pushed by the Heritage Foundation and other conservative groups, White says the classical curriculum is another way of politicizing education. Colucci disagreed, saying it’s about results and choice, not politics. “This is not anything that’s superior or inferior, this is just simply a choice, our district has always been at the forefront of innovation and choice, and that’s what we want to offer, and there’s a demand for this type of education,” Colucci said.
Future Expansion
If the demand is there, and if assessments show the classical curriculum they’re using, which was designed by the University of Florida’s Hamilton Center, is working, there’s a high probability that Miami-Dade County Public Schools will expand the concept to other schools and higher grade levels as well.
Conclusion
The introduction of the classical curriculum at Village Green Elementary School marks a significant shift in the approach to education in South Florida. While it has its supporters and critics, the focus on critical thinking, moral character, and the development of the whole child is certainly an interesting approach. As the school and the district assess the effectiveness of this new curriculum, it will be interesting to see if it expands to other schools and grade levels.
FAQs
- Q: What is the classical curriculum?
A: The classical curriculum is an educational approach that emphasizes critical thinking, moral character, and the development of the whole child. - Q: Who is behind the classical curriculum at Village Green Elementary School?
A: The classical curriculum at Village Green Elementary School is championed by Miami-Dade School Board Member Monica Colucci. - Q: How much funding did the school receive to implement the classical curriculum?
A: The school received $500,000 in funding to implement the classical curriculum. - Q: Is the classical curriculum available in other schools?
A: Currently, Village Green Elementary School is the only public school in South Florida to adopt the classical curriculum, but there is a possibility that it may expand to other schools and higher grade levels if it is deemed effective.
