Freedom, equality, choice, independence, opinions, rights, and the pursuit of happiness: these are all terms that are commonly associated with the idea of democracy. In order to take a stand on what exactly the purpose of education should be in a democratic society, one must first look at what it is that he or she values in a democracy. To me, the main values of democracy are equality, independence, and choice. Every person in our nation, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, should have equal opportunity and equal access to an education. No one should be denied an education because of a category or status that they may have been born into or have little control over. Not only should there be equal opportunity for
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If people decide that they want to receive an education that will allow them to go out into the workforce and contribute to society in that way, that is their choice. Someone can also decide that the goal of the education they are receiving is to think critically about what it is they are learning and use that knowledge and analysis to contribute back to society. Regardless of if someone is becoming a worker or a thinker through their education, they are still giving back to society in the end, creating the functional society that is needed in a democratic …show more content…
The main concept associated with social mobility is that education is used to get ahead. “It [social mobility] promotes…the stratification of education…education is structured in such a manner that its social benefits are allocated differentially, with some students receiving more than others” (Labaree, 1997, p.16). To me, this undermines multiple core values of a democracy, those values being equality and benefiting the good of society as a whole. Some may argue with this stating that social efficiency, which I believe to be part of the goal of education, also creates educational stratification, undermining the concept of equality. Those who argue that would be correct. Social efficiency only creates educational stratification if it is the only goal of education. When the goal of social efficiency is balanced with the goal of creating critical thinkers, educational stratification no longer exists. Therefore, those agreeing with social mobility would be incorrect in saying that social efficiency creates educational stratification when looking at how it ties in with what I believe is the purpose of
If people decide that they want to receive an education that will allow them to go out into the workforce and contribute to society in that way, that is their choice. Someone can also decide that the goal of the education they are receiving is to think critically about what it is they are learning and use that knowledge and analysis to contribute back to society. Regardless of if someone is becoming a worker or a thinker through their education, they are still giving back to society in the end, creating the functional society that is needed in a democratic …show more content…
The main concept associated with social mobility is that education is used to get ahead. “It [social mobility] promotes…the stratification of education…education is structured in such a manner that its social benefits are allocated differentially, with some students receiving more than others” (Labaree, 1997, p.16). To me, this undermines multiple core values of a democracy, those values being equality and benefiting the good of society as a whole. Some may argue with this stating that social efficiency, which I believe to be part of the goal of education, also creates educational stratification, undermining the concept of equality. Those who argue that would be correct. Social efficiency only creates educational stratification if it is the only goal of education. When the goal of social efficiency is balanced with the goal of creating critical thinkers, educational stratification no longer exists. Therefore, those agreeing with social mobility would be incorrect in saying that social efficiency creates educational stratification when looking at how it ties in with what I believe is the purpose of