Faith In Education Research Paper

Even though the Declaration of Independence does not mention education, our founding fathers did value education. Illustrated by the ordinances they passed “in 1785 and 1787 that granted federal lands to states to create and support public school- an institution that the nation’s founders viewed as essential to democracy and national unification.” (Jennings, p3) In 1959, the admission of Alaska and Hawaii into the Union reconfirmed the Federal government’s support of education. Three distinct elements that impact education are; laws that have been passed, the removal of the church from public schools, and the role of federal government that has evolved and changed over the years. These three factors have transformed education over the

Thomas Jefferson recognized the necessity for education as a form of national improvement. Like roads and canals, schools would unite and improve the nation, but this improvement is greater than roads. Jefferson writes in 1786,

Thomas Jefferson remains one of the first advocates for public education, which was later termed the Common School Movement. He recognized the inequality in education, for the wealthy stood the only ones capable of affording an education, thus the poor stayed poor and the rich stayed rich. Jefferson aspired to change the apparent injustices in the education system. He felt all children possessed the right to and education regardless of prosperity, heritage, and circumstances. Even though Jefferson remained not able to create the change he so desperately sought to make, he never stopped trying and since education stayed revolutionized, for his persistence in equality. James Conant, former president of Harvard University stated, “In short, as I view the American scene of the 1960’s, I am ready to declare without hesitation that Jefferson’s proposals have become incorporated in the pattern of our educational structure” (Mercer, 1993).

Education has existed throughout history in one form or another. The process of passing down accumulated information from one generation to the next has been present in every human society, past and present. From the young listening to the stories of the elders around the hearths of the ancient world, to pupils being instructed in the alphabet in a one room schoolhouse on the American frontier, to the present day online teaching sessions; the tradition of teaching and learning has been a constant in the ever changing world. Education has been and continues to be used for many purposes, chief among them being the creation of an educated citizenry, the empowerment of that citizenry, and improvement of the

Advanced technology and forms of communication have changed the way we look at our nation. The current political climate and the cultural movement that is happening in our nation is going to go down in history as a revolution. A revolution where news headlines are instantaneously on our phone screens, and thanks to our advanced technology, a whole world of information is a few clicks away. However, despite these advancements in technology, the cultural change in America is often slowed down because there is a general lack of education. In America, education is the one, if not the biggest barriers that economically and institutionally suppress an overwhelming amount of the nation’s adults. Majority of adults in America do not have basic reading and writing skills yet education is still not a priority in America. There is a crucial need for education in America, now more than ever. In my opinion, the only reason for the current political climate in America is the lack of education that brings basic awareness. The solution to what we are witnessing as a nation is an education that makes individuals aware of the reality of our circumstances and allows them to see a perspective from multiple points of views. In this paper, I will present my argument on why education should be made a priority in America.

Presented with the task of assessing someone’s faith development required the answers to three essential questions. How has social learning played a part in the individual’s religious development? How has attachment played a part in the individual’s religious development? Upon answering these questions we must then evaluate the stages of faith development in which the individual is in according to James Fowler and David Elkind. After thorough evaluation has occurred the question pertaining to the role of doubt can then be answered. With these questions in mind, the theory that religious beliefs and adherence to spiritual faith are ultimately tested and proved during adolescence was the driving thought throughout the process of interviewing

Target has a corporate social responsibility plan to show the legacy of giving and service. Rothaermel (2014) explains that Target embraces social programs, such as, promoting minorities and minority women into the supply chain. Target is fostering equality in society; this begins by creating a diverse workforce. Target is engaging the community to strengthen relationships and teach ethical treatment to others (Target, 2016). Rothaermel (2014) discusses corporate citizenship, where an organization philanthropic responsibilities are evident thorough ethical practices and giving back to society. Target encourages their employees to volunteer in local community programs. Target is interested in the community stakeholders and is committed to supporting communities by giving five percent of its profits, which has added up to more than $4 million each week (Target, 2016).

Despite Congress’ failure to institute meaningful education reform following the Revolutionary War, a few American leaders began voicing support for a more extensive and structured public education system. One of the loudest voices was Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson argued that democracy required all the citizens of a populace to have sufficient education so that they could be well informed and vote accordingly. Jefferson did not, however, want to infringe on the rights of parents or local communities to educate their children. Instead, he proposed that everyone could be educated in the way they saw fit as long as they passed certain national examinations. ((Jurgen Herbst, “Nineteenth-Century Schools between Community and State: The Cases of Prussia

An irrefutable quality of a strong leader is an unyielding desire to gain knowledge. Former President John F. Kennedy himself stated that “leadership and learning are indispensable to each other”, which can only further the argument of a necessity for a strong education system to develop a solid base early in a student’s life. Amelia Arcamone-Makinano brings forth this debate and discussion in her book “KRONOS: All-Devouring Federal Reserve”, highlighting the profound implications of the federal government’s grip in the education system. In “KRONOS”, Amelia Arcamone-Makinano wisely asserts that illiteracy and the lack of education in American public schools has had indirect ties to the state of the country’s welfare and handling of the economy.

Faith and reason can be viewed as opposites. Faith is an element of belief, something an individual does not necessarily require a reason for accepting without reason. For example, an individual’s reason for believing in God may not seem too rational when they are trying to explain them. They may not even stand up to criticism. On the other hand, reason is constructed as a formula. Faith is basically something we believe in, like something we learn in church. Reason is something we learn in school, such as a math formula.

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.

George Washington, the first president of the United States once wrote in a letter to George Chapman that, “the best means of forming a manly, virtuous, and happy people will be found in the right education of youth. Without this foundation, every other means, in my opinion, must fail.” Although the people who received an education and the type of education they received in the eighteenth century vastly differed from the education that exists today, it is clear that from the foundation of this nation education has been seen as a fundamental necessity. When running for office, many political candidates address the value and significance of a strong education system. Yet, at the end of the day significant change in the system rarely occurs

Reflecting upon Kelemen’s (2015) article, I was struck by her comment that all people require education to develop from childhood to adulthood and schooling is the cornerstone to becoming social beings. It is the school’s responsibility to train children to become social beings who can think critically and act rationally and responsibility in our American Democracy. As I think about the students who enter my classroom each day, I realize that they are about two years away from turning eighteen and will be able to vote. Therefore, I have the tremendous responsibility of providing them with an education that includes both achievement and integrity (Shirley, 2017). Kelemen (2015) states that education should align with the practical aspects

It is a through a faith based education that one may discover the constant yearning of oneself and the purpose and meaning of their life. A faith based education mixed with a person’s spirituality can take an individual through a journey of faith and knowledge to a destination of self-actualization. A catholic education guides us to walk with Christ and develop love, hope and joy for God, which then assists an individual through challenges in their life. An Islamic education enables their followers to succeed in a constantly changing world, through the teachings of Allah. Often people come across challenges that question their meaning and purpose to the world, and the meaning and purpose of the world in general and life itself. Religion and spirituality combined guide a person to discover the inner-strength necessary to find oneself and their purpose, through transformative learning and an ever-longing yearning.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela. Without education, there is simply no telling of what this world would be like. There wouldn’t be doctors, lawyers, businesses etc. Life and everything around us would be fatuous. Schools and education give us a plan in life and help guide us. Throughout the years education has changed tremendously. It had its improvements throughout the decades, and it also has had its falters as well. Education in America is an issue in this country and it definitely needs to be tweaked and improved. Education is what makes us people who we are and what we will be. Nelson Mandela had it right, there is no weapon more powerful than education.