Start gifting
Libro.fm for Business
Start a membership, get two free audiobooks
Almost ready!
In order to save audiobooks to your Wish List you must be signed in to your account.
Log in Create account
Limited-time offer
Get two free audiobooks when you make the switch!
Now’s a great time to shop indie. When you start a new membership supporting local bookstores with promo code SWITCH, we’ll give you two bonus audiobook credits at sign-up.
Make the switch
Gift audiobook credit bundles
You pick the number of credits, your recipient picks the audiobooks, and your local bookstore is supported by your purchase.
Start giftingWhy Knowledge Matters
This audiobook uses AI narration.
We’re taking steps to make sure AI narration is transparent.
Learn moreE. D. Hirsch, author of The Knowledge Deficit, draws on recent findings in neuroscience and data from France to provide new evidence for the argument that a carefully planned, knowledge-based elementary curriculum is essential to providing the foundations for children's life success and ensuring equal opportunity for students of all backgrounds. In the absence of a clear, common curriculum, Hirsch contends that tests are reduced to measuring skills rather than content, and that students from disadvantaged backgrounds cannot develop the knowledge base to support high achievement. Hirsch advocates for updated policies based on a set of ideas that are consistent with current cognitive science, developmental psychology, and social science.
The book focuses on six persistent problems of recent US education: the over-testing of students; the scapegoating of teachers; the fadeout of preschool gains; the narrowing of the curriculum; the continued achievement gap between demographic groups; and the reliance on standards that are not linked to a rigorous curriculum.
Why Knowledge Matters introduces a new generation of American educators to Hirsch's astute and passionate analysis.
E. D. Hirsch, Jr., is the founder and chairman of the Core Knowledge Foundation and professor emeritus of education and humanities at the University of Virginia. He is the author of several acclaimed books on education, including the New York Times bestseller Cultural Literacy, The Schools We Need, The Knowledge Deficit, The Making of Americans, and Why Knowledge Matters. He lives in Earlysville, Virginia.
It started when he did Muppet impressions at a talent show. He was eight. He killed it. BJ Harrison later became a scenic artist and sculptor for TV and film, where for twenty years, he listened to audiobooks every day. In 2007, when his Classic Tales Podcast hit the scene, listeners were enthusiastic and voracious. The show peaked as the #3 podcast in iTunes (all categories). Pretty soon, Audible came calling to talk about a new program called ACX. Now, over 750 audiobooks later, he continues to impress critics and listeners alike. AudioFile says he narrates with "gusto" and "enthusiasm." Time opts for "soothing." One thing is clear-BJ tempers his formidable narrator toolbox for the task at hand. It's always thrilling to discover where he'll take us next. Awards: Winner: 2 Voice Arts (SOVAS) Awards-2022 (Best Audiobook Narration-Mystery and Outstanding Podcast Host-Arts and Entertainment) Winner: Platinum Award for the Hear Now Audio Theatre Festival 2023 (Best Audiobook-813 by Maurice Leblanc) Winner: Independent Audiobook Award-2021 (General Fiction-Scaramouche by Raphael Sabatini) Winner: 2 w3 Awards-2021 (Gold), 2022 (Silver) by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts. (General Series-Education)