The goals of education have been discussed, and argued, since the beginning of education itself.

Teaching the next generation is a great balancing act filled with information, environmental issues, and social concerns, yet retaining the highest level of interest and involvement among the students. I believe the purpose of education is to develop a strong base of knowledge, foster a life long love of learning, develop morals that will enable the child to continue through life with success in his or her professional and private life, and equip the next generation with skills to become great citizens of their communities. Education should result in a greater generation than the one before. Education at an early age should have similar basic knowledge for all. lato

believed mathematics, philosophy, literature and history should create the base of all academic curriculums !"oddings, pg #$%. I also believe the arts should play a substantial role in early education. &hildren can learn a great deal about themselves and the world around them through experiencing art, music, and theater. ' firm understanding of the arts allows for a fuller and richer life. (earning about oneself and the world around them will enable the student to make better decisions for themselves about future careers. )ewey writes at great lengths concerning the purpose of education. *e states it is to instill growth. This is an end in itself. If the experience does not leave the child more capable or encouraged to experience more, the experience was not educative !"oddings, pg +,%. The base of knowledge provided in primary schools should provoke a sense of exploration and continued learning for a lifetime within the students. -ne should never stop learning and growing.

-nce a strong foundation of knowledge is built, the educator must follow the interest and will of the individual student. )ewey firmly believed this to be true !"oddings, pg+%. .any students, unfortunately, are not presented an opportunity to progress to college, therefore all attempts should be made to find interests and offer practical applications during his or her secondary education. )ewey states, /"ot only must there be continuity in educative experience, but the experience itself must have meaning for students here and now. There must be engagement00an interaction between students and the ob1ects of their study2 !"oddings, 3+%. This should not proceed to the ideas of functionalist education so popular within the writings of lato. The child should dictate the course of his or her education not the needs of the state !"oddings, pg 4%. The state, however, should be on the mind of every student. &hildren should be taught, /-ne5s education is part of a larger good and can contribute to the betterment of society.2 &arl 6lickman continues this point with the idea that all schools must allow students the opportunity to apply their newly found knowledge within the community. This gives each student the ability to become part of the community in a positive way !'llen, pg #3$%. 7tudents should also leave school with the information needed to participate within the democratic system and have the desire to do so. 'ristotle also taught a set of values and beliefs that were meant to create caring and involved citizens. 7tudents should act ethically based on habits of good character created during their education !"oddings, pg #+%. )ewey applied this knowledge to contemporary education by saying schools could not prepare students for a democratic life simply by providing information. Educators must allow children to experience

democracy through socialization in age appropriate ways. The student5s values and beliefs must be made real within the classroom !"oddings, pg 3,%. .oral education is also an important aspect within today5s curriculum. 'ristotle believed children are taught proper moral conduct through activities which fostered virtuous behavior. /Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it2 !"oddings, pg ##0#+%. *is ideals are similar to those found within biblical text. They are relevant even in today5s society. *e went on to say that once

children expressed habits formed by good character, and only then, were they ready to question, criticize and analyze the world around them !"oddings, pg##%. 6iving children a strong foundation in good moral habits will help them achieve greater success within society. They will be more civic minded and more aware of those around them. In the classroom, this manifests itself with fewer arguments and better cooperation among the students. The environment in which education exists is one of controlled freedom. The curriculum should, once the student is capable, be dictated by the needs and will of the student. They should be guided in the direction they choose. &hildren learn best when fully engaged in the sub1ect. (earning should be fun, exciting and interactive. 8hile striving for a firm grasp of basic knowledge, the educator should be constantly aware of issues with self0esteem. &onfidence within the student can be directly affected by the educator through encouragement and a caring attitude. 'nd, the greater the confidence within the student the more he or she will accomplish within the classroom. To meet the needs of today5s children, educators must provide knowledge, moral training, and instill civic duty among their students. They desire and deserve the very

best education possible. Throughout their educational experience children should feel encouraged, supported, and loved regardless of their interests and abilities. Every attempt should be made to prepare the coming generation with the tools needed to become well rounded, happy, and success members of society.

"oddings, "el !+$$9%. hilosophy of Education. &olorado: 8estview ress.