“If you know the name John Dewey, you may associate him with the decline of American education,”says Winston Brady in this week’s Acton Commentary. “Many believe that the absence of intellectual rigor and the lack of responsibility in schools can be blamed on Dewey, who has been called the ‘father of progressive education.’”

It’s easy for conservatives to dismiss someone described as the “father” of anything progressive, but it may be worthwhile to reconsider John Dewey (1859-1952) in light of new economic challenges posed by automation. According to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers, advancements in self-driving technology and robotics threaten up to 38 percent of jobs in the United States. How can American schools prepare students to enter petitive economy ready to upend itself?

The full text of the essay can be found here. Subscribe to the free, weekly Acton Commentary and other publications here.