Return-Path: <nifl-povracelit@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id eBCG5V908461; Tue, 12 Dec 2000 11:05:31 -0500 (EST) Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 11:05:31 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <65.d211155.2767a5d7@aol.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-povracelit@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-povracelit@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-povracelit@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: KathleenBombach@aol.com To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-povracelit@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-POVRACELIT:319] Re: questions about purpose X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Windows AOL sub 100 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Status: O Content-Length: 990 Lines: 16 We have several competing notions about public schooling and education. One is that education is important because it provides a basis for a national identity and legitimacy, one language, and support of the political system (often voiced as 'supports democracy and citizenship'). The competing view is that education is the preparation for work and must teach the rules of work. Both goals result in emphasis on respect for rules and processes, and for those in positions of authority. In all this, learning about other things like history, literature, mathematics, etc., become secondary. Thinking and questioning threaten the underlying reasons (above) that we have made education or schooling universal, mandatory, and free. Tension arises when anyone takes seriously the notion that education in school ought to have something to do with thinking and questioning. I think the question that has been posed is what do *we* think the purpose of education is. Kathleen Bombach
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