Breaking down the wall...: Hope and the dialectical nature of education

This paper will analyze the history of public education and its relationship to the industrial economy, education and curriculum reform literature and policies (both past and present) predominately within the theoretical framework proposed by Henry Giroux. Personal observations and experience as a teacher within this system will be used to provide insight into theoretical paradigms. Implemented programs will be assessed within the historical and theoretical framework outlined above in an effort to determine the impact of post-industrial economic needs on education and the potential for resistance. The predominant method of gathering data will be through literature reviews and within the context of personal observations.