Diane Ravich The Essentials Of A Good Education Summary

In Diane Ravitch’s essay, “The Essentials of a Good Education,” she explains how schools in 2008 made budget cuts on a variety of if important subjects in school, such as history and science, in order to spend more time on tested subjects like mathematics and reading. Ravitch believes that public schools are forsaking the importance of life and social skills that every student needs. A child’s knowledge should not be rank, rated, or labeled, according to Ravitch, because “it does not measure their character, spirit, heart, soul, or potential.” Ravitch blames reform programs such as “No Child Left Behind,” which requires states to test children’s basic skills, on the cuts made in important subjects, which she believes are key components of education. She also said that educated parents would not want their children going to a school

where students are only taught a standard, basic array of information; That information being solely what the states require testing on and disregarding other skills necessary to succeed in life once the students are adults living in the real world. Ravitch stated, “If we mean to educate them, we must recognize that all children deserve a full liberal arts curriculum.” Lastly, Ravitch explained that all children need to be prepared to participate in a democratic society, which cannot afford the lack of skills and knowledge of a wide array of topics, not just math and reading.
There are many reasons why students learn more subjects than just the basic ones such as mathematics and reading, but the main reason is to learn life skills and knowledge.

Many schools started to focus on only basic skills due to reform programs such as, “No Child Left Behind” which made cuts in important subjects, but there are many other subjects that are important to students for them to gain life skills. “Most parents send their kids to schools to learn life skills, not just the basic skills” Ravitch stated in her article, to show that subjects such as history and physical education are just as important as the basic skills that are tested. Without history classes, students may not know of important events that changed the world such as 9/11 or the bombing of “Pearl Harbor.” Schools began to focus on only basic skills because it were the skills that were tested. Even though other subjects were not tested, they are needed for different jobs that make up the United States. A child’s knowledge should not be rank, rated, or labeled, according to Ravitch, because it does not measure their character, spirit, heart, soul, or

potential.
Throughout her article, Ravitch explains that most parents are not happy about the fact that schools are focusing on tested subjects only. She also does a good job on telling the readers that it is important for our country that young students are learning all subjects and skills that can encourage all students and shows them that they are good at something. This country is made up of very intelligent people and other people who are not intelligent. Although, someone is not intelligent does not mean that they are not good at something and can end up having a successful career. Same with people that are intelligent, they may not be able to use their skills to their full advantage and can struggle in life or they can become successful way.