Diane Ravitch's Essay: The Purpose Of Education

Lyndon B. Johnson once said that “Education is not a problem. Education is an opportunity.” Education has always been a way for children to expand their knowledge, and expand their minds as well. However, it has been brought to the attention of many, that education is now a way to force ideals down the throats of knowledge thirsty children. In trying to fit in standardized tests, teachers and schools have lost sight of the true purpose of education: to teach young people the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Diane Ravitch, educational historian and policy analyst, believes that public schools are focusing more on test scores rather than the more important goals of education, such as “character and love of learning” (Ravitch 112). Her use of logos and anaphora throughout her article help her to articulate her opinion on the public school system. To begin, Ravitch’s strong logos throughout her article helps to convey her message about the rapidly changing education system. To start off her article, Ravitch references the No Child Left Behind Act, a 2001 …show more content…
In several paragraphs, her repetition helps to enhance and emphasize her ideas. When speaking on budget cuts, Ravitch brings up that schools across the country spend millions on tests, however, they sacrifice the arts and other important programs. Her repetition of the word “why” helps to emphasize her questions on budget cuts. In repeating this word specifically, Ravitch is asking the question that all students, parents, and teachers are asking as well. She questions why schools are “willing to spend hundreds of millions on testing”, only to have to lose other important programs (108). “Why” has been an ongoing question in response to cutting programs and departments in order to purchase standardized tests and test preparation. Her anaphora perfectly captures her own thoughts, as well as those of communities around the country as