"What is Education For" by Danielle Allen by Frances Murray

Central Claim

fem31 — 2024-10-05 23:09:15 UTC

The education system should serve students by preparing them for civic engagement

Claim #1

fem31 — 2024-10-05 23:10:42 UTC

Education that prepares students for civic and political engagement supports political equality and leads to increased economic fairness.

Claim #2

fem31 — 2024-10-05 23:10:48 UTC

Educational curricula that solely focus on vocational learning does not serve students to achieve their fullest potential.

Claim #3

fem31 — 2024-10-05 23:10:55 UTC

Education systems that focus on civic learning can foster connections within communities.

Evidence 1A

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While having a curriculum that teaches civic engagement, an understanding is gained when acknowledging that fair economic outcomes are aided by the democratic process and political equality.

Evidence 1B

fem31 — 2024-10-05 23:12:18 UTC

Taught social norms in school reinstated "hypermeritocracy." Therefore, the curriculum requires the dissemination of social and political change.

Evidence 2A

fem31 — 2024-10-05 23:12:25 UTC

research shows that exposing students to civic-based learning can encourage them to become active members of their community which is also known as participatory readiness.

Evidence 2B

fem31 — 2024-10-05 23:12:31 UTC

With vocational style learning, many low-income students miss out on civic learning opportunities that could empower them and promote a more equitable society.

Evidence 3A

fem31 — 2024-10-05 23:12:40 UTC

Philosopher Hannah Arendt feels that citizenship is
the activity of co-creating a way of life, of world-build
ing. The most easily accessible way of doing this is through the school system.

Evidence 3B

fem31 — 2024-10-05 23:12:47 UTC

Co-creation extends beyond legal categories of membership
in political units.

Background

fem31 — 2024-10-13 22:11:04 UTC

In "What is Education For?", Danielle Allen discusses the relationship between education and equality. She focuses on the point that many people think education should mainly focus on a vocational lens. However, she feels there is a need to prioritize civic education. Her argument also brings awareness to political and economic inequality.

Data

fem31 — 2024-10-14 16:59:38 UTC

"Michael Rebell writes, twenty-four state courts 'have explicitly held that preparation for capable citizenship is a primary purpose of public education, and no state court has disputed this proposition'"

Data

fem31 — 2024-10-14 17:19:46 UTC

With Civic Learning, "Citizens pursue what they perceive to be universal values, critical thinking, and bipartisan projects. Next comes the activist, who seeks to change hearts and minds by fighting fairly for particular outcomes, often making considerable sacrifices to do so... we have lost sight of the ideal ordinary citizen,
who is not a professional politician but who has nonetheless developed all of the competencies described above and who
is proud to be involved in politics"

Data

fem31 — 2024-10-14 17:29:31 UTC

"...that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness—That to secure these Rights,
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed"

Rebuttle

fem31 — 2024-10-14 17:31:44 UTC

Many people may argue that vocational learning is equally as important, if not more than civic learning because it sets students up for their future careers. This is incorrect because vocational learning only prepares students for highly specific STEM careers and does not support those who are planning on going down the path of liberal arts careers.