EDUC 703 Philosopher Analysis

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Liberty University *

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Philosophy

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Dec 6, 2023

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JEFFERSON AND FREE EDUCATION 1 Thomas Jefferson: The Reformation of the American Education System through Free Education School of Education, Liberty University Author Note I have no known conflict of interest to disclose. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Email:

JEFFERSON AND FREE EDUCATION 2 Abstract Thomas Jefferson was a prominent figure in the American Education and Political system. He wanted to create an education system that did not only educate the wealthy. He wanted a system that offered free education to all children in America. He wanted this system to have structure and educate those who were gifted with knowledge and virtue. Jefferson wanted a country that was well-educated in reading, writing, and history. Jefferson believed that the purpose of schools should be to select students who had advanced gifts in virtue and wisdom. He also believed that while society can alter a person, we have the ability with our individual responsibility to allow society to change us. Jefferson also believed that the environment one grows up in and is surrounded by has no effect on their individual achievement. Jefferson's theory of equal educational opportunity was founded on human responsibility and natural rights. It saw schools as selective institutions that provided equal opportunities for a shared curriculum that provided equal learning opportunities. He also saw the need for free public education where students could be educated in close proximity to their homes regardless of social class to allow for equal education opportunities, except for those in slavery. Keywords: Thomas Jefferson, gift of knowledge, Free Education

JEFFERSON AND FREE EDUCATION 3 Thomas Jefferson: The Reformation of the American Education System through Free Education Thomas Jefferson was a prominent figure in the American Education and Political system. He wanted to create an education system that did not only educate the wealthy. He wanted a system that offered free education to all children in America. He wanted this system to have structure and educate those who were gifted with knowledge and virtue. Jefferson wanted a country that was well-educated in reading, writing, and history. In creating this ideal education system, Jefferson implemented reforms that would lead to the creation of more recent reforms and our current education system. When creating the University of Virginia, Jefferson wanted to ensure that those students with superior knowledge and virtue would be able to receive the education they deserved. Hence the strategic design of the living spaces for students who were performing at exceptional standards allowed them to be within walking distance of professors. While Jefferson cared deeply for those who had the gift of knowledge, he wanted to grant free education to those who needed it and allow for equal learning opportunities across the nation for all children. Background and Cultural Context Unity became an important aspect of society not only for obtaining independence but also to fuel and sustain a new nation (Smith, 2020). Common education became the new focus of American society. Jefferson valued scientific progress as being a key aspect of the new republic being formed. Jefferson supported a public education system supported by the government. Jefferson wrote plans and tried to reform the public education system in Virginia but was met. with many obstacles and ultimately, his proposals were never adopted. Jefferson was a firm believer that schools should focus on teaching basic literacy skills so that children would be able

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