Word: collegia
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...make the mistake of moving all the way toward one-man power, as Khrushchev did during his last days. Therefore, responsibility for success or failure could be shared with other members of the Politburo. Brezhnev-praised by Richard Nixon more than once as the shrewdest of shrewd politicians-accomplished "collegia!" rule with astonishing success. He has nonetheless had mixed results in foreign policy, his principal achievement having been to convince his colleagues that detente with the West is desirable and necessary. The thriving state of Communist parties in Italy, France and elsewhere is taken by Moscow as proof of capitalism...
...schools which would separate the tasks of giving children good academic skills, and providing opportunities to develop self and purpose -- both popular, progressive goals. Children would spend half their time in "academies" where they would learn English, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences. In the other half they would participate in "collegia" where "through a series of experiences -- some vicarious, some simulated, some real -- a child can see at first hand how society works...and how he reacts to it." The collegia programs would range from working at day-care centers, to group camping trips in the country, to spending...
THOUGH SIZER brings to his work thorough knowledge of the political problems involved in educational reform, he ignores some of their consequences. He hopes that collegia will give students a true understanding of society. But he doesn't explain how he will get government funding for a kind of "social studies" that has never before been allowed in public schools...
...also points out that collegia must address...the conflicting claims of the individual and the state. The individual properly desires autonomy and personal freedom. The state properly wants a stable population, one disposed to advance corporate social and economic needs. It is unlikely that the ends of each can be fully met within a single institution. Both have to be taught ... but the resolution of conflicting claims must be left to the individual...
ALONG WITH his central proposal Sizer advances other interesting speculations about reform. Many are old hat, but in his program they achieve greater validity. In connection with the collegia, he thinks guidance counselling, traditionally reserved for telling students what colleges or jobs to apply for, should expand to service entire communities. They could offer advice and lay-therapy to both parents and children. He also broadly defines the functions of academies where basic skills are taught. They would concentrate on encouraging children to discriminate and reason logically, focusing on process rather than coverage of basic topics...