Paideia is a Greek word meaning the upbringing of a child.
There are many different pronunciations, but the one we use is pi-day-a.
Paideia has long been used as a term for
education projects. One particular use developed into a major program centered
around basic principles and regular use of seminars for all students.
Between 1979 and 1985 a group of educators
met with Mortimer Adler, then Chairman of the Board of Educators for Encyclopedia
Britannica, to discuss education reform. They referred to themselves as
the Paideia Group. Some of their concerns were: (a) the high use of lecture
by teachers (85% of teacher time) as reported by John Goodlad in A Place
Called School; (b) excessive stress on coverage of material; (c) lack
of equal opportunity to education in the schools; and (d) poor conditions
for learning within the school environment as created by such elements as
large class size numbers.
The Paideia Group published three books: Paideia Proposal
(1982), Paideia Problems and Possibilities (1983); and The Paideia
Program (1984). These books sparked public interest across the country.
By 1994 the Paideia Proposal had been translated into 6 different
languages. In response to many requests for training, Dr. Adler formed the
Paideia Associates in 1985.
The Paideia Associates designed and conducted the early
training and implementation programs. The Paideia Associates formulated
the Paideia Principles summarizing major points in the Paideia concept of
education. In 1991 members of the original Paidiea Group and Associates
formed the Paideia Group Inc. (PGI) to monitor and guide the development
and spread of the Paideia concept of education.
PGI is a national not-for-profit organization with national
and international members. Mortimer Adler is the Honorary Chairman. Its
purpose is to monitor and guide Paideia development, foster networking and
sharing of information. In 1992, PGI instituted the stages of development
and the essential elements for a Paideia school. In 1993, the board issued
the certification process for trainers. PGI conducts regional workshops,
an annual national conference and on site Paideia training programs.
The Paideia Group, Inc.
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2008. Augsburg College. All rights reserved.
