Hampshire College's closure marks symbolic end of progressive US education tradition

On April 14, Hampshire College declared its inability to enroll sufficient students to sustain its financial obligations, signifying a poignant conclusion to the tradition of progressive education in the United States. Established in 1970 in Amherst, Massachusetts, the institution championed innovative educational practices inspired by John Dewey. Its foundational tenets excluded class attendance, credit hours, intercollegiate sports, honorary degrees, and grades, opting instead for narrative evaluations from faculty. The college originated from discussions among leaders of neighboring colleges and secured a $6 million commitment from the Ford Foundation in 1958. Among its notable alumni are filmmaker Ken Burns and actress Lupita Nyong'o. Since 2020, approximately eighty-nine colleges in the U.S. have either closed or merged, with forecasts suggesting that a quarter of private institutions could be at risk within the next ten years.