Beginning in 1982 philosopher Mortimer Adler led a group of educators and scholars in publishing a trilogy of books on what they called "Paideia" educational reform. The first book, The Paideia Proposal, had a profound effect on most of the major reform efforts that followed, and Paideia principles—including the then radical notion that "all children can learn"—eventually permeated the educational dialogue. Merging the conservative idea of a classical education with progressive ideas about teaching and learning, Paideia educators strive to provide all children with a rigorous and meaningful education—one that respects cultural diversity while equipping students with the knowledge and skills required for full participation in a united, democratic society.

Since 1988 the National Paideia Center (NPC) at The University of North Carolina has encouraged and supported a dramatic resurgence in Paideia education. In The Power of Paideia Schools: Defining Lives Through Learning, NPC Director Terry Roberts and his coauthors cite schools throughout the United States as they provide a blueprint for the Paideia school. Readers will learn about the "three-column" approach to instruction, the core curriculum, scheduling options, and meaningful assessment from the Paideia perspective. Combining thoughtful educational philosophy with real-world results, the authors offer a persuasive argument for a classical education that meets contemporary challenges.

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