The Importance Of Education And Free Society

There was a time when America’s education system was top-notch according to the culture and society. With time, a myriad of things has changed, but unfortunately what has not evolved is the American education system. The country is still following a system which was not designed for the current global economic climate. Equality, as positive as it sounds is not as sufficient when it comes to education. The system treats students equally yet expect a similar culmination and outcome. Every child has his individuality and distinct abilities; one cannot judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree. Conversely, a few of the prominent reasons why the education system is failing are overcrowded schools, the rise of technology, and following the same old school hours.

I agree with Horace Mann, education is vital in society and determines how it functions. If certain groups of people do not receive equal education than others, then society will change and more poverty, unemployment, and more inequality will increase.

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,

At first thought, I thought that our education system was alright, but I was only thinking about my school in particular, where there are not many fights or serious altercations or problems and the school is kept in a nice condition. However, I was on Youtube one day and saw a video about some of the most dangerous schools in North America and realized that not all high schools are the same and that there were a lot of flaws in the way that our education system favours to the higher class and the lower class can manage with what they get. It is also similar with learning styles - kids who are able to learn through memorization and reading excel while kids who are visual learners or need fundamental objects in order to understand the concept being taught suffer. This is also negative for students, like myself, who cannot always get exactly what they are thinking down

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).

Thomas Jefferson lived up to his ideals and beliefs by giving educations to those who were in need, those who couldn't afford to go to school, Jefferson allowed that to happen. According to the text, “Elementary school in every country, which shall place every householder within three miles of school...To all of which is added a selection from the elementary schools of subjects of the most promising genius, whose parents are too poop to give them further education, to be carried at the public expense” (Jefferson’s Proposal for a Bill).Thomas Jefferson believed that every child should have a chance of a bright future, that every upgrowing child has some special talent.

Thomas Jefferson is one of Americas most known noble leaders. Who had a vision for public schooling in the new United States of America in Enlightment ideas yet restricted by his own understanding of race, gender, and class (Conant, J.B 1962). Jefferson trusted that a more "normal" social structure would suit the creating political attitudes of the nation. He envisioned a "meritocracy," in which instructed men would serve in public office. Since their education would at last be for the public great, Jefferson composed and presented a bill sketching out a plan for public schooling. As right on time as 1778, with the Revolutionary War in progress, Jefferson legislated for the general education of youth. His "Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge" would give three years of basic schooling for white youngsters in Virginia, (cited in Webb, 2006).

Thomas Jefferson and Horace Mann had a large influence into our educational foundation. They fought for and persuaded many people into believing education was needed for all citizens. They also believed in separation of church and state. In this paper I will summarize each individuals influence on education as well as separation of church and state.

In early America, only a couple of schools were open, and children were mainly taught at home or were sent to a boarding school. In 1837, a man named Horace Mann led the Massachusetts Board of Education and he seeked free, equal, non-religious education for all social classes. This was a major step towards obtaining natural rights. In documents H and E, it shows that education is one of the most important things in life. For example, “... It does better than to disarm the poor of their hostility towards the rich; it prevents being poor” (Doc. H). This quote shows that having an education can prevent someone being in poverty because, if you are smart, then you can get a high paying job, which will prevent you from being poor. Another example is, “When he goes to school he walks quickly, and does not lose time on the road. ‘My parents,’ he says, ‘are very good to save some of their money in order that I may learn to read and write’...” (Doc. E). This shows that his parents were willing to spend the extra money for their child to get an education, which will give him a chance at a better life. Without having an education, you will not get very far in life. It is a necessity to life. Education really helped expand democratic ideals in the United States because, giving different class people the chance to attend school and get a free education is the best possible way to do it. You are giving poor and wealthy children the

The American Education System is not meeting the needs of current students. If anything, the system is not building a sturdy foundation for the future working class. Schools have existed for many years and through the years they have worked differently. However, every school’s main purpose was to educate students to be efficacious later in life. Modern day schools are corrupting students with added pressure, making fewer accommodations for special education students, and take away individualism. Along with those are problems comes numerous others. The students of modern times are the people of our future and the future does not look too bright with the current American Education System.

Many may believe that the United States school system is flawless; that no other countries school system or organization is as advanced as ours, “just like our government.” Those people need to come into the realization that our school system is broken, we need to be realists and not dreamers when it comes to something as serious as our education. Our school system has not been putting in the needed or required effort to reach the goals of true education or a good education that we, as students, deserve. Schools have been cheating us of what we deserve. Although some may believe our school system is perfect, it is not; our school system is broken and it needs to be fixed.

Throughout his political career, Thomas Jefferson advocated for a free basic education provided to the American people. He believed that an education would lead men and women to the ability to be self-governed and become positive contributors to society. Today, we can see how true this is by the examples of others. Those who are given the opportunity to expand their education are more likely to find jobs and develop skills that not only improve a community, but influence the economic growth of their nation. On the other hand, if an education is not provided to individuals, they can become a hindrance to that nation’s growth.

The existing public education system in America was established when education was a low priority. As the demands for greater education grew, the public education system tried but failed to keep pace with those demands. The educational system must standardize education across America, raise the percentage of students who have mastered basic skills and teach students to understand the importance of learning about a wide variety of subjects.

There are more than 98.000 public schools in the US with an outdated education system which makes people stupid rather than giving them education. The statistic says that about 80% of the student graduate high school. That’s not bad considering that they can go to work right after high school, right? But what is really the purpose of high school, just to graduate? No, it’s to prepare a person for his future career. And does the current education system prepare a person for the future? It seems like it prepares one for passing tests very well. The truth is that there is a lot of unemployment, poverty, and homelessness in the US. It’s way to much for what it should be. Homeless people are 0.5% of the whole US population. Unemployed are 4.1%. People in poverty are 12.5%. Letting those things slide leads the US towards barbarism rather than an educated

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.