A Research on the Positive Externalities of Education

The inequality of education in the United States is a pressing societal issue that has been the main catalyst for the division between the social classes. Education is a public good, and thus if it used by one consumer then it will not reduce the availability to another consumer. Education can also be considered the largest single factor in determining a person’s success and quality of life in society today.

There are many controversies that american public education system does more harm than good. In “Against School” by John Taylor Gatto and “Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work” by Jean Anyon, explains how school education destructively impacts us. Gatto states his experience as a public school teacher and why he “just can’t do it anymore”. He was tired how the schooling was programmed. He argues how school system are affecting students to be more like “childlike” citizens. Also, Anyon demonstrates her research on how there are many different kind of education depending what “class” you were. She informs us that there is an inequality in “Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work”. Both authors depicts the reality and truth, that some people are unable to see. As a student, I’ve also experience this and support how school depicts how we are in the future. Moreover, there are many representations that explains why the american public education systems does more harm than good.

Expansion of education is closely related to idealistic views of democracy. In developing and wealthy nations, education is valued because it helps the individual mind to develop capabilities. In contrast, education has also been seen as a way to promote equality. Having access to public education, in theory, has the potential to reduce poverty and promote equality. If all are entitled to the same public education, not to mention they are required by law, why do school systems seem segregate their students? Researchers have searched for the answer and have theorized that economic background, tracking, and hidden curriculum are a few things that help contribute to the imaginary lines drawn between students in society.

The strongest claim the author made was that the economy and education are highly intertwined. It is stated that without a public access to a higher level of education, the income equality will grow larger and our country of democracy and prosperity will be in jeopardy. The

Malcolm X once said “education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”. From adolescence to adulthood almost every person is put through schooling. As one gets older in age, the education they obtain becomes more rigorous in order to stretch their minds far beyond two plus two or what color the sky is. The strategies of critically thinking and being able to analyze/decipher information in front is them is reinforced routinely in the educational system. With this being said, the purpose of education is to aid in enhancing one’s qualification, socialisation, and subjectification skills within the society regardless of how or where one’s education was obtained.

Externality is defined as an effect of a decision on a third party not taken into account by the decision maker. There are two types of externalities being positive and negative. Second hand smoke would be a negative externality. The smoker does not take into account the smoke emitted from their cigarette. Education would be considered a positive externality. When an individual is educated, their

Education plays a major role in the modern life to all individuals in society. It has allowed societies to prosper both socially and economically by enabling them to develop common values and culture. Our world is constantly changing and it requires a prepared society that is well prepared in understanding the problems deriving from culture differences and tolerance of one another’s beliefs and perceptions. We are dealing with systemic problems in education, economic, government, religion and culture differences.

The idea of education has advanced throughout history, constantly shifting by societal ideals and human evolvement. This change is especially prominent during the 1800s and continues to alter to this very day with education policies. Public education first began during the Industrial Revolution. During this crucial time in history, many children were required to get an education in order to learn the trades of the growing economy and business as opposed to getting hurt in from hazardous machinery. These skills were limited reading, writing, and math. Ultimately, from this concept, public education was founded and from then, our society has grown into a well-educated community in which every individual has a role into making an impressive,

Politics have made up a large part of public education in the United States of America since Anglo-Saxons came over from Europe. The effects that politics and governmental policies have had on public education have been evident throughout the history of the United States and are still apparent today. Beginning with assimilation and acculturation in the 17th century and continuing on to programs such as President George Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and the Mississippi Healthy Students Act of 2007, it is clear that governmental policies have and will always affect public education in the United States.

One of America's champions of education and a clear proponent of the principles of democracy, Thomas Jefferson, thought that until America had universal education it could never endure universal suffrage. Ignorant individuals have no basis in understanding democracy, and are not capable of self-government. However, with the application of education, he believed that the masses could rise to the occasion of good citizenry (Van De Mille). In the United States, free public education is mandated from kindergarten to 12th grade, and education is offered from pre-school to graduate school. Yet the system is in crisis in many ways, among which, recruitment and retention of qualified teachers to lead the necessary changes that will allow students to actualize and become intelligent global citizens.

With many in government and communities believing that education is the key to create a strong and independent country, public schools were formed in the early years of the United States to provide a basic education for citizens (Mondale & Patton, 2001). Over the years it has been reformed to fill the needs of a growing nation. However, we are now facing a need to not only satisfy the needs of a national economy, but a world economy. Unable to fill positions that demand a high education, many American industries have to branch out to other countries in search for employees (Guggenheim, 2010). Unless America is able to raise the education standards of students, this trend of companies hiring from outside the United States will continue and more Americans will struggle to find their place in society.

Many Americans seem to share the view that government spending more money on education will improve academic success. According to

The United States prides itself on its public education system making it a core value of many families. The level of education a person has will influence their career achievements. Americans expect their public system of education to provide a solid curriculum. Most of the people in the United States place their trust in the public school system in which they support through taxes. This trust although is contradicted by the public system of education’s current shape. Much of the schools in the United States are either deteriorating, or failing all together. The drawbacks of public education create an unhealthy environment for student learning.

The K-12 public school system of the U.S. must be nurtured, diversified and promoted to a higher academic standard. The term “public education” means education that is publicly financed through various tax programs and those personnel in charge are accountable to public authorities and designated places of education must be accessible to all students with attendance mandatory unless specified through legal documentation. The term "public education" covers every type of public school from kindergarten through the 12th grade to include traditional, charter, magnet, vocational and various alternative schools.

In addition to the above-mentioned social benefits, one may also note that higher education also contributes to the creation, development, and operation of public institutions. While discussing non-market private and social benefits of higher education, Walter W. McMahon, in his report “Advancing Higher Education,” states, “…they likely contribute more than proportionately to the development of civic institutions, democratic institutions, and rule of law. These benefits in turn set the stage for substantial economic growth” (McMahon, Advancing). He goes on to state, “Civil institutions are built, new ideas are generated, and environmental conditions are put in place such as lower state crime, welfare, health and incarceration costs that