Research On Amy Gutmann’s Thought Of Democratic Education

For the democratic theory of education issues, the most essential questions are: What’s the goal of education?who should control education?And what constraints,if any,should limit that control? In this process,Amy Gutmann put on the theory of democratic education base on the deliberative democracy,by criticizing three kinds of traditional education theories and inheriting Dewey’s theory of democratic education. The concept of deliberative democracy settled the profound political foundation for Gutmann’ theory of democratic education. As interpreted by Gutmann, education is necessary to such a democracy so that children may develop the knowledge,skills and virtues necessary for citizenship. The control of education,She think,should be shared democratically among parents,citizens and professional educators,and this control should be limited by the principles of nonrepression and nondiscrimination. Moreover, Gutman Focus on the reality of American education trying to apply the theory to practice. Gutmann was especially concerned the"school voucher"in America,American Federation of Teacher and the allocation of educational resources. Above all,Gutmann’ theory of democratic education has practical significance both in practical and theoretical dimension, which will provide implications to the development of democratic education. This paper is divided into four chapters:Chapter Ⅰ—the Theoretical Basis of Gutmann’s Thought of Democratic Education. The chapter discussed that Gutmann’s theory of democratic education base on the deliberative democracy,by criticizing three kinds of traditional education theories and inheriting Dewey’s theory of democratic education.Chapter Ⅱ—the Theoretical Connotation of Gutmann’s Thought of Democratic Education. Gutmann’s theory consists:(1) Gutmann begins by asserting that the core value of democracy is"conscious social reproduction".(2)Gutmann grounds her case for democratic authority in the defects of the main competing views of educational authority,which she usefully dubs"the family state,""the state of families,"and"the state of individuals." As interpreted by Gutmann,educational authority should be shared democratically among parents,citizens and professional educators.(3) Gutmann pointed out that the principles of democratic education are "the nonrepression" and "the nondiscrimination".(4) In her opinion,the democratic purpose of education is to develop children’s knowledge,skills and virtues necessary for citizenship.Chapter Ⅲ—Attention to the Realistic Education Hotspot.Gutmann focus on the current education of the United States.She took a sceptical attitude for the "vouchers" policy in education.In addition,she admired the American Federation of Teacher,and rethinked the fair distribution of education resources. From those we can see the practical significance of Gutmann’s theory.Chapter Ⅳ—a Brief Analysis of Gutmann’s Theory of Democratic Education. The chapter analysed Gutmann’s theory of democratic education.We hope that those discussion will provide some useful reference for the development of democratic education.