William Bagley

William Bagley was an influential American educator and philosopher known for his advocacy of essentialism in education. He believed that schools should focus on teaching a core set of knowledge, skills, and moral values that prepare students for responsible citizenship and personal success. Bagley emphasized the importance of a disciplined, rigorous curriculum rooted in classical subject matter, linking education to moral and cultural development. His ideas aimed to improve American education by balancing academic excellence with character education, emphasizing the role of teachers as moral guides and promoting a structured approach to learning.