What Am I Doing?


Why Go to School? 
 by Steven Wolk

Purpose:

Advocate the need for education reform by elaborating upon the missing elements of our current system and suggesting paths for simple improvement. 

Central Messages:

1.      The current curriculum of public schools does not promote real learning or the love of learning. 

2.       The unspoken mission of schools is to produce workers to keep our economy functioning at the status quo. 

3.       Public schools are not fulfilling their proposed mission statements. 

4.       Currently there are several elements in which schools are lacking in their instruction. 

Validations/Applications:

1.       Personal experience – His son was assigned 400 worksheets are year that contained only one correct answer.  We are taught to just do the assignment and then never apply it. 

2.       Time Magazine Article – Our educational goals and curriculum are determined by our need to compete with other countries and remain in our perceived role of dominance. 

3.       Statistics – We are supposed to be “global citizens” but there are hardly any classes on other countries and the voting turn out has decreased dramatically in the past few years in the young adult (18-30) category. 

4.       Statistics – Teachers were asked what the most important subjects facing the world were.  A large majority of them then agreed that the current curriculum does not include these subjects to the extent that it should. 

Values: 

                Life-long learning

                Individuality

                Family

                Success

                Creativity

                Peace

                Environment

                Charity

                Integrity

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