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Katherine Jones
Tierney
AP AGS World History Period 1
10/9/2018
Goal of Education

Prompt: Explain what you believe the goal of public education should be.

During the existence of education, the purpose of education has changed to meet the

world’s needs (Strauss). When the world needs a better workforce, schools train students to be

good workers (Strauss). When the world needs engaged citizens, schools teach students to

educate themselves on current issues and participate in politics (Strauss). But, what should be

the real purpose of education that every school strives for? The goal of public education should

be to teach children critical thinking, creativity, and make good choices in society.

One skill that should be a main target in education that every school should educate

their students on is how to critically think. Critical thinking is an important skill that does not

come naturally to most people but must be learned (Mendes). Critical thinking is not only

important for making decisions and being an engaged citizen, but it also is also valued in

schools and the workplace (Mendes). Being able to critically think is very valuable when

entering the workforce and opens many doors for promotions and good careers (Mendes).

Teaching students how to critically think will greatly improve their chances of landing their dream

job and improving their community.

Another skill that should be taught in schools is how to express creativity. One of the

most important qualities of a person that has a great influence on obtaining a job and living a

successful life is creativity. In a world with billions of people to generate ideas, being creative is

important and can set students apart from other people in a competitive situation (Landry). For

example, most employers look for creativity because it allows their organization to be more
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innovative and successful. Creativity has been the source of many ideas and products that have

changed the world. For example, companies like Starbucks and Apple became the successful

companies they are now because of their ability to be creative and produce original ideas

(Landry) . It is creativity that will spark the innovation to change the world and allow students to

live the life they want.

Another objective that should be a pillar in every school is teaching students how to

function in society. Currently, schools teach skills that may be useful when entering the

workforce or that the government deems important but what they really need to be teaching

students is how to function in society once they become independent. Many students have skills

like solving equation or writing persuasive essays but yet they have no idea how to pay taxes or

buy a home. Many skills already taught in schools are important but not teaching students how

to function in society leaves them unprepared to enter the world once they graduate.

School determines the future for students so it is very important that they learn what they

need to know to be successful. A lot of material taught in school is useful but there are many

things that are not being taught like critical thinking, utilizing creativity, and life skills that would

greatly improve the lives of students and prepare them for the future. Teaching these skills in

school can not only change the way schools operate but have the potential to improve our world

and our future.

Works Cited
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Choi, Amy. “What the best education systems are doing right.” ​Ideas.Ted.Com, ​Photographs by

Aapo-Lassi Kankaala, Ideas.Ted.com, Sep 4, 2014,

https://ideas.ted.com/what-the-best-education-systems-are-doing-right/​.

Landry, Lauren. “The Importance of Creativity in Business.” ​Northeastern University,

Northeastern University, November 9, 2017,

https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/creativity-importance-in-business/​.

Mendes, Jessica. “Why Critical Thinking Skills Are Important in the Workplace.” ​ZipRecruiter,

ZipRecruiter. November 17, 2017,

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/blog/why-critical-thinking-skills-are-important-in-the-

workplace/​.

Singer, Natasha. “How Google Took Over The Classroom.” ​The New York Times.​ Photographs

by Whitten Sabbatini, The New York Times, May 13, 2017,

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/13/technology/google-education-chromebooks

-schools.html​.

Strauss, Valerie. “What’s the purpose of education in the 21st century?” ​The Washington Post,

Photographs by Dennis R.J. Geppert, The Washington Post, February 12, 2015,

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/02/12/whats-the-p

urpose-of-education-in-the-21st-century/?utm_term=.8a042a2bff9f​.
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Swiss National Science Foundation. "School curricula are a reflection of society's expectations."

​ cience Daily, January 19, 2017,

Science Daily, S

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170119083549.htm​.