Across the nation, America’s 21st-century education system has abandoned the formative, democratic mission of developing competent and virtuous citizens. Instead, it has adopted a system concentrated on a acquiring a limited, career driven skillset. Therefore, it calls into question the goals of education. Is education’s purpose for instilling certain technical skills to match the necessary demand of the mounting workforce of specific fields, or is it to produce competent and virtuous citizens, engaged in political and civic life? If it is the latter, then it is through educational philosophies, such as John Dewey’s that America as a society may establish an education system that is successful in transforming students into effective and virtuous citizens. If society’s goal is to instill certain technical skills to match the necessary demand of the mounting workforce of specific fields through education, it begins to turn into a debate about social priorities rather than education techniques. Thus in assuming that education is meant to produce competent and virtuous citizens, it is through engagement in community, in attempting to connect themselves to civic and political life and taking a hands on approach that students may receive a proper and successful …show more content…
education. In a society where education drives toward the goal of instilling technical skills, there is a lack of awareness and engagement concerning political and civic life.
Thus, a society full of “educated” individuals making such crucial decisions concerning our society and who are unaware of the current state of the world we live in, is very much alarming. For that reason, there is a clear sense of urgency to implement civic-based approaches to education in order for students to gain the necessary skills to restore the thriving democracy America once had. It is by first understanding the concepts that have shaped our current civic and political state that one may able to make knowledgeable, mindful
decisions. Mary Salibrici in her article, “Further Thoughts on Civic Participation in College Composition Classes,” argues that in learning how to speak and write about current and controversial issues that a civic-based approach to education prepares students for “the demanding responsibilities of democratic life” . One may conclude that when the reconstruction of college courses to a civic-based approach to education occurs that students secure a sense of comfort as the course progresses. Thus, it allows students to ask more insightful and tough questions, ultimately discovering ways to enter discourse with one another. Salibrici when reviewing Elizabeth Ervin’s teaching styles asserts, Ervin’s ideas about cultivating the community nature of the classroom, promoting collaborative learning, and structuring opportunities for authentic civic discourse can be seen as grounded in the educational philosophy of John Dewey. He saw the public school classroom as crucial to the protection and development of democracy because of it capability for fostering individual talents while teaching students how to live cooperatively within the framework of a social community. Civic-based approaches to education grant students the chance to take away persuasive, informative, and debate communication skills and apply them to challenges facing civic life. When elected officials make a speech or comment about our current state of education, they do not encourage students to read Plato, Descartes, or even the Federalist Papers, instead our government is encouraging students to become increasingly experienced in math and computers and other STEM programs, or else foreign countries will steal all of our jobs and advance in front of America when it comes to education. Yet in reality, these foreign countries will steal nothing from the United States if they do not entertain lively and democratic institutions, like American’s do, or at least used to have. Thus, not only should foreigners read Plato and Descartes, so should Americans in order to spark open discourse between students and to restore our institutions to reflect qualities of democracy and vibrancy.
On the national civics assessment, “two-thirds of 12th graders scored below ‘proficient’…and only 9 percent could list two ways a democracy benefits from citizen participation” (O’Connor and Romer 4). The information provided clarifies just how little students know about democracy. Without education on the subject, they are unaware as to how their government contribution is beneficial and why it is needed in the first place. The students, because of their lack of understanding, therefore choose to not take part in their government and fail to carry out their duties as a citizen. The authors provide more research that shows “the better people understand our history and system of government, the more likely they are to vote and participate in the civic life” (O’Connor and Romer 8).
The greatest country in the world still has problems evenly distributing education to its youth. The articles I have read for this unit have a common theme regarding our education system. The authors illustrate to the reader about the struggles in America concerning how we obtain and education. Oppression, politics, racism, and socioeconomic status are a few examples of what is wrong with our country and its means of delivering a fair education to all Americans.
The American school system is no stranger to criticism, but everybody seems to have a distinct idea of what should be done to improve it. It was not too long ago that we had no public schooling system at all. A man would change that forever, immortalizing himself as the “father” of American education. It was surprising to me that I had never heard of this man, especially considering I had finished my journey through free and compulsory education two years ago. The man who went on to change American education, was Horace Mann, the first Secretary of the Board of Education in Massachusetts. Horace Mann tirelessly campaigned for the public to be educated, heralding it as a “great equalizer.” So why is the gap between social classes rising exponentially? There are fundamental issues holding us back from fulfilling Horace Mann’s dream of an education system which empowers citizens by leveling the playing field for everyone, including pedantic policies, a limited curriculum, and standardized testing.
In recent years, many have debated whether or not a college education is a necessary requirement to succeed in the field of a persons’ choice and become an outstanding person in society. On one hand, some say college is very important because one must contribute to society. The essay Three Reasons College Still Matters by Andrew Delbanco shows three main reasons that students should receive their bachelor’s degree. On the other hand, many question the point of wasting millions of dollars on four years or maybe more to fight for highly competitive jobs that one might not get. Louis Menand wrote an article based on education titled Re-Imagining Liberal Education. This article challenges the main thought many americans have after receiving a secondary education. Louis Menand better illustrates the reasons why a student should rethink receiving a post secondary education better than Andrew Delbanco’s three reasons to continue a person’s education.
A child’s first day of school is often viewed as a rite of passage; the first step on the road to a happy and successful life. This is true for most children from affluent families who live in the best school districts or can afford expensive private schools. But what if a child’s first day of school is nothing more than the first step on the road to poverty and possibly even illiteracy? The documentary Waiting for “Superman” addresses many issues in a failing school system and the innocent children that system leaves behind. Although the documentary spends little time suggesting parents’ roles in their children’s education, it clearly shows that we must make changes to help children from low-income families and improve the teacher’s unions.
Education has always been in existence in one form or another. As each child is born into this world regardless of who or where they are born, life lessons immediately begin. He/she will learn to crawl, walk, and talk by the example and encouragement of others. Although these lessons are basic in the beginning they evolve as the child grows. However, the core learning method of a child does not change. Learning from others, they will watch, listen, and then act for themselves. Thomas Jefferson believed that an education would lead men and women to the ability to be self-governed and become positive contributors to society (Mondale & Patton, 2001). Today, we can see how true this is by the examples of others. Those that are given the opportunity for education are more likely to find jobs and develop skills that not only improve a community, but influence the economic growth of their nation (Ravitch, Cortese, West, Carmichael, Andere, & Munson, 2009, p. 13). On the other hand, if an education is not provided to individuals, they can become a hindrance to that nation’s growth.
Wadsworth Cengage Learning. (2010). Gateways To Democracy The Essentials. In J. G. Geer, W. J. Schiller, J. A. Segal, & D. K. Glencross, An Introduction To American Government (pp. 43-49). Boston: Suzanne Jeans.
Education is one of the cornerstones and pillars to the establishment and preservation of democracy. In history, countless scores of philosophers and political thinkers believed that only an educated citizenry can take on the quintessential task of upholding democracy. Thomas Jefferson, the primary writer of the Declaration of Independence, stated that “an informed citizenry is the only true repository of the public will.” A renowned defender of public education, Jefferson proposed plans for an education system that included grammar schools in his presidency. As a result of these relentless policies for education, the United States expanded on the concept of public instruction through the establishment and upkeep of a practical education system. The United States continued this tradition and established a reputation as one of the best education in the world. Currently, this is no longer valid as other countries such as Finland, China, and South Korea are competing for the dominant position through rigorous reforms that aim to boost student performances (“Best Education”). Meanwhile, the American system is inefficient, inhibited by political obstacles and gridlock while Finland, the top ranked country in terms of schooling, is continuing to improve. According to the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) examinations that tested pupils across a variety of subjects such as reading, mathematics, and science of 2009, Finland’s students were ranked among the top (“PISA 2009”). The American students were ranked below average for industrialized countries in the world, revealing the reality of the educational crisis in the country. Finland’s education system, compared to the Americans, offers major differences that greatly ...
“If you would just get up and teach them instead of handing them a packet. There’s kids in here that don’t learn like that. They need to learn face to face. I’m telling you what you need to do. You can’t expect a kid to change if all you do is just tell ‘em.” Texas student, Jeff Bliss, decided to take a stand against the lack of teaching going on in his class (Broderick).
Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, the American educational system has undergone much transition in response to our changing society. Though there have been many problems raised throughout the years in regard to what our school systems should be teaching our children, there have also been many developments.
The United States has proven to be a world leader with their powerful military, democratic government, and stringent foreign policies. There is one category however, the United States struggles to be number one in, education. As shocking as this may sound, the public school system in America is not superior to other developing countries. I have witnessed this scandalous phenomena firsthand, engrossed in the public school system from kindergarten to freshman year of high school. The student body and the school administration is morphing into a nonproductive system with a zombie-like attitude. American students lack academic drive and curiosity compared to European and Asian countries because the standard for academic success is constantly lowered. Americans must reform the school system and change their perspective on how important an education is to the rest of the world.
A. According to the Bureau of Education (1918), Civic education should develop in the individual those qualities whereby he will act well his part as a member of neighborhood, town or city, state, and nation, and give himself a basis for understanding international problems” (p.13).
Democracy by definition runs by the governing of the people, the majority rule. In order for America to flourish on what it is founded upon, the mass, too, must also be of the educated class. In Democracy and Education, John Dewey describes the interaction of education and democracy as two proportional factors. He argues that education is essential factor to democracy, just as democracy is an essential factor to education; therefore education must also present situations where students can implement school into real life situations. High school, however, has done little to fit the high school criteria to situations dealing with the social aspects of life and human interactions.
For hundreds of years education has been inching its way towards the fore front of societies around the world. Estelle Jorgensen wrote, “We live in a time of profound change. This reality fundamentally affects our understand of the world and human relationships, the way we live our lives, our beliefs, values, and are relationships with others are constantly changing with the times.” As this time has passed politicians, philosophers, and educators have started to realize the vast importance of the education of a cultures citizens, and the advantages of having an educated society. Educational philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, along with more modern philosophers like John Dewey, began to bring forward the importance of the
To quote a phrase from Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz, "Make me the master of education, and I will undertake to change the world." If we are to change the world simply because we have and continue to acquire the education necessary to increase knowledge; we must never forget education along without the practice of inducing what is learned is not enough to produce attainable results favorable to sustain a society in the 21st century. We must become the voice of the people by getting involved to make a difference in the world by putting into motion what we have learned.