Sheriff Dewey and Another High Noon Scenario

Abstract

John Dewey was a sophisticated theorist who had a considerable impact on education in North America. Dewey's critics have tended to ignore his theories or to treat them superficially while they make pejorative claims about the practical results of progressive education. Scholars who are persuaded by Dewey's work tend to respond with careful explanations of his theory and its broad application to educational practice. In this brief paper the tables are turned. An attempt is made to reveal how an appreciation of Dewey' s work could have avoided the mistreatment of aboriginal Canadians during the first half of this century - in other words, an illustration of how progressive theories could have ameliorated the results of conservative practice.