The Progressive Era What would Dewey and other “pedagogical progressives” say in response to Hirsch's critique of progressive education? Progressive education was a movement based on an emphasis on learning by doing. This learning style involved more hands-on projects and more experimental learning with groups that will help hone social skills. It was a style that allowed teachers to teach content areas based on student needs. John Dewey was a great supporter and promoter of progressive education. Dewey stated in his journal My Pedagogic Creed: "I believe that true education comes through the stimulation of the child's abilities by the demands of the social situations in which he finds himself." (Vol. 54 p.77). He believed that all learning occurred based on the social situations presented to the child. Dewey founded schools in Chicago based on progressive movements. The school actually made a commitment to teach future teachers this style and approach to education. Dewey stated, “This process begins unconsciously almost at birth, and continually shapes the powers of the individual, saturating his consciousness, forming his habits, training his ideas, and arousing his feelings and emotions.” (Vol.54 p.77). the organization of schools should be designed and taught based on real life and work based community environment. Along with the help of other school reformers like Ella Flag Young, they sought to change school systems across the country. The opposition to school reform and the progressive school movement is ED Hirsch. Hirsch believed more in the traditional learning-based system. According to Hirsch, political liberals should oppose progressive educational ideas because...... half of the document ......d if you study the history of educational methods, you will find that every traditionalist theorist advocates practical methods in which they lead to good results." (Traditional education is progressive p.43) The next comparison is the fragmented and integrated approaches. Even in this comparison Hirsch draws similarities between the two comparisons by saying that both sides want organized instruction that shows how the pieces fit together, but also reinforces what is learned. I think Dewey and other progressive educators would disagree with Ed Hirsch's views. I think the opinions between the two are obviously at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to which learning style best meets children's needs. I believe that although the two sides are different in their approach to how students learn, there are similar views shared by both sides.