The School and Society

work by Dewey

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July 13, 2026

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John Dewey's The School and Society (1899) advocates for an educational system deeply connected to the child's experiences and interests, moving away from abstract thought. Dewey believed education should foster the total development of the child, emphasizing critical thinking over rote memorization. He argued that schools should be student-centered and that education is crucial for cultivating the habits necessary for a democratic society. Dewey saw public schools as vital for nurturing democratic citizens, promoting cooperation, and achieving the common good. He envisioned education as a means to improve future society by shaping better habits in the young.12

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Education and personal growth
As he propounded in The School and Society (1899) and The Child and the Curriculum (1902), education must be tied to experience, not abstract thought, and must be built upon the interests and developmental needs of the child. He argued for a student-centred, not subject-centred, curriculum and stressed the…
Read More
As he propounded in The School and Society (1899) and The Child and the Curriculum (1902), education must be tied to experience, not abstract thought, and must be built upon the interests and developmental needs of the child. He argued for a student-centred, not subject-centred, curriculum and stressed the…
Read More