Freire Inspired Programs in the United States and Puerto Rico: A Critical Evaluation

by Blanca Facundo

Paulo Freire is a widely known and respected advocate of "critical pedagogy". In 1984, Blanca Facundo wrote a critique of Freire's ideas and her own experiences using his methods. Facundo's critique is a strong dissenting view to the largely uncritical admiration for Freire's work.

This document was produced with funds awarded to the Latino Institute by the Fund of the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education (U.S.D.E.), under grant number G-00800606. Any opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the positions or policies of FIPSE, USDE, or the Latino Institute. This document was originally published by Latino Institute, Washington, D.C., in 1984. It was compiled for the web in 1998 by Brian Martin in Australia (see Editor's Introduction). This document has no copyright and may be reproduced as needed.

For additional materials in response to this monograph, see:

• Comments on Facundo's essay published in Alternativas
• Robert Mackie, "Confusion and despair: Blanca Facundo on Paulo Freire"
• Blanca Facundo, "A reaction to a reaction"
• John Ohliger, Taking Freire and Illich seriously
• John Ohliger (ed.), Critical views of Paulo Freire's work

Blanca can be contacted at bfacundo@worldnet.att.net.