Cultural Literacy in the New Millennium: Revisiting E.D. Hirsch
George Shamshayooadeh

Abstract
This paper revisits the notion of “cultural literacy” as propounded by E.D. Hirsch in his 1987 book by tracing its evolution from previous educational theorists and philosophers to the publication of Hirsch‟s book. It also explicates and examines the arguments for and against cultural literacy in respect to its rationale and implementation at schools throughout the United States. The author contends that the notion of cultural literacy is supported by research in reading and that its implementation could be successful if strategic negotiations take place at state, district, and even school levels in order to familiarize administrators and teachers with the scope and purposes of cultural literacy, which would be instrumental in American students‟ success in the humanities and social sciences in k through 12 public schools and ultimately in higher education.

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