Francis Wayland Parker

For other uses, see Francis Parker.
Francis Wayland Parker
Born(1837-10-09)October 9, 1837
Bedford, New Hampshire, U.S.
DiedMarch 2, 1902(1902-03-02) (aged 64)
Pass Christian, Mississippi, U.S.
Resting placePiscataquog Cemetery, Manchester, New Hampshire, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationHumboldt University of Berlin
Dartmouth College (MA)
Known forPioneering the progressive school movement in the United States

Francis Wayland Parker (October 9, 1837 – March 2, 1902) was a pioneer of the progressive school movement in the United States. He believed that education should include the complete development of an individual — mental, physical, and moral. John Dewey called him the "father of progressive education." He worked to create curriculum that centered on the whole child and a strong language background. He was against standardization, isolated drill and rote learning. He helped to show that education was not just about cramming information into students' minds, but about teaching students to think for themselves and become independent people.[1][2]

  1. ^ Merle Curti, The Social Ideas of American Educators (1935) pp 374–95.
  2. ^ John A. Garraty, "Parker, Francis Wayland." American National Biography (Oxford UP, 1999).