True. It seems that the standard benchmark is where we stand on some arbitrary test in comparison to other countries. The purpose of education is to move the characters "United States" from a low position on a piece of paper to a location higher up.
It is in fact very difficult to come up with a good through definition of the purpose of school, as it varies greatly from person to person and from time to time. My definition changes daily, though I don't think the school system has changed their definition in 100+ years (whatever it may be - basically "mold well-rounded citizens", or better yet, "create consumers who don't cause trouble").
How would you define it?
I believe it encompasses the following:
1. Creating free thinking people. What does this mean?
a. Someone who knows themselves. Who can draw strength from themselves, and isn't afraid of facing their own thoughts when they are alone. This is also someone who naturally would have to be conscious of this particular "self" - something I don't believe a majority are.
b. Someone who is somewhat versed in debate and rhetoric. Someone who can understand arguments, break them down, and can form opinions and rebuttals. This is essential in today's world as we are bombarded with opinions on all sides and often don't know what to think. We naturally conform to the opinions around us when we don't have ones ourselves and don't have what I outlined in a). In addition, this helps us understand the ways in which we are manipulated.
c. Someone who understands the "6 Levels of Moral Development" by Lawrence Kohlberg, or something similar to this. Someone who can see this and contrast it to their own lives.
2. Ensuring a basic level of competency in topics that we come into contact on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis.
3. Teaching what parents don't have time to or aren't capable of doing - with a focus on the above items.
It is in fact very difficult to come up with a good through definition of the purpose of school, as it varies greatly from person to person and from time to time. My definition changes daily, though I don't think the school system has changed their definition in 100+ years (whatever it may be - basically "mold well-rounded citizens", or better yet, "create consumers who don't cause trouble").
How would you define it?
I believe it encompasses the following:
1. Creating free thinking people. What does this mean?
a. Someone who knows themselves. Who can draw strength from themselves, and isn't afraid of facing their own thoughts when they are alone. This is also someone who naturally would have to be conscious of this particular "self" - something I don't believe a majority are.
b. Someone who is somewhat versed in debate and rhetoric. Someone who can understand arguments, break them down, and can form opinions and rebuttals. This is essential in today's world as we are bombarded with opinions on all sides and often don't know what to think. We naturally conform to the opinions around us when we don't have ones ourselves and don't have what I outlined in a). In addition, this helps us understand the ways in which we are manipulated.
c. Someone who understands the "6 Levels of Moral Development" by Lawrence Kohlberg, or something similar to this. Someone who can see this and contrast it to their own lives.
2. Ensuring a basic level of competency in topics that we come into contact on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis.
3. Teaching what parents don't have time to or aren't capable of doing - with a focus on the above items.