In trying to engage in a public conversation about different issues facing our school, I haven't had much luck in getting comments posted to this blog. I thought I would go 'back to basics' and ask a very simple question today:
What is the purpose of school?
The nature of this question comes from an article that I read in the April 2010 edition of The School Administrator. Daniel Domenech, the executive director of the American Association of School Administrators, wrote an editorial entitled; "What's the Purpose: Transformation or Tinkering? In this article he commented on the big picture of this question by saying: "Is it to do what is always best for the learner or to accommodate the interests of the adults, the businesses or whatever groups have a vested interest in the process?" Interesting question...and again, what do you think the purpose of school is?
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I've thought about this question for several days and can't pick one or the other of Domenech's options. My best answer is that the purpose of school is to PREPARE each learner to become a productive citizen of their world. We should do what is best for the learner in helping them develop their strengths, strengthen their weaknesses, and prepare them for the many options they will face in their future. I don't see the purpose of school being so much accommodating the interest of adults with vested interests as it is preparing students to be successful in the adult/business/real world. Sometimes what is best for the learner is helping them develop interests, goals, and life skills. Sometimes it is pushing them academically, socially, or physically to strive for something they thought was out of reach. The trends in education have continued to lean more toward individualization and catering to each student's learning style and I think it becomes popular to say we're doing what's in the students' best interest when we cater to their needs and/or preferences.
ReplyDeleteHowever, those who want to focus solely on the learner's desires, skills, and interests may ultimately be doing the student a disservice by not realistically preparing them for real life. In the adult world, you sometimes have to do things you don't want to do, you have to develop skills that don't fit your interests, and you have to consider the best interest of the group (business/family/church/school/community) and set your individual desires aside.
Preparing students to become successful adults in a changing world is the challenge and privilege of the school system.
I think everyone can agree that the purpose of school is to "prepare kids for the future." But, I honestly don't see that we're doing a good enough job. As teachers, we need to really look at our curriculum and lessons and ask ourselves: do kids really need to know this? Are we teaching content and facts or are we teaching skills? Skills that can be transferred to other areas of our students' lives.
ReplyDeleteThe new Iowa Core Curriculum is a giant leap forward into a more practical school curriculum. If you are unfamiliar with it, please google it. It's great stuff!! As parents, you need to really inquire into what is being taught.
I think that the purpose of school is to help advance our society. The students that are in school are the future of the world. They are the doctors, lawyers, and future politicians. Without school our society would be run by people who have no idea what the are doing. This is why school is one of the most important things in society because we know that the students are the future.
ReplyDeleteMr. Herzberg,
ReplyDeleteI think the purpose of school is to educate us students so we can prepare ourselves for the future as adults and also for careers. Without school we would not learn anything, therefore we would not be able to get a good career and grow to support ourselves and eventually our own families.
Sincerely,
Lynette Matthiesen
I think the purpose of school is to prepare our future for the struggles they may face. By doing this we are enforcing our intelligence to other societies. We do not want our lack of motivation in our country to slow us down. School is for a brighter future in america! I think we are doing a great job today teaching our students what they need to know for the future.
ReplyDeleteMr. Herzberg, I personally think that the purpose of school is to not only educate students about the basic; Math, Reading, Social Studies, and Science. Parents could probably teach their child on their own. So back to your question, "What is the purpose of school?" I believe that school not only gives us an education it also helps build confidence, how to social interact, and also teaches us discipline and respect. Those are vital things anyone needs to know in order to get anywhere in life.
ReplyDeleteAs a student, I feel as if the purpose of school is to make people better. When I say that, I don't just mean make people more intelligent, I think it is making them better people overall. If you are just worried about the books in a classroom, you won't make "real" people. Real people to me are people that can get along with any one and go outside of their comfort zone to get better. Another thing I feel is a purpose in school is to make leaders. How can S-O High separate from the pack? I think one sure answer is to develop leaders. You will forget things you learn in algebra and biology in high school, but kids will never forget their leadership skills.
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of school is to educate people. If there is no education then where would our world be today? We wouldn't be learning new things, we wouldn't be advancing in our technology today. If we didn't educate kids, where would you see our world in ten years from now?
ReplyDelete