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Educations Primary Purpose is Social and Political equality, Key:, Works…
Educations Primary Purpose is Social and Political equality
Education for civic engagement-Education should equip individuals with the tools for active civic participation and democratic empowerment.
Allen cites historical examples from the founding of the U.S., where education was emphasized as crucial for preparing citizens to engage in the democratic experiment.
Citizens must be able to critically engage with political processes to ensure the health of a democracy.
If education focuses only on job skills, citizens will lack the critical thinking for democratic engagement.
Counterargument:
In an increasingly competitive global economy, education’s primary role should be to prepare students for jobs and economic stability.
Rebuttal:
Allen acknowledges the importance of economic skills but maintains that they should not overshadow the primary purpose of education, which is to ensure democratic participation and equality.
Civic education
—education aimed at preparing students for informed, responsible participation in democracy.
Creates equal opportunities to participate in civic life-The fundamental goal of education should be to create equal opportunities for participation in civic life.
All individuals have the capacity to participate meaningfully in society.
Allen references data showing disparities in educational resources across socio-economic groups, arguing that unequal access to quality education limits individuals’ ability to participate in democracy.
Without reforming education to ensure political equality, democracies risk perpetuating inequality by depriving marginalized groups.
Political equality
—the idea that all citizens have the same opportunities and tools to engage in political life.
Promoting social cohesion-Education should foster social cohesion by teaching students the skills of collaboration and mutual respect necessary for a democratic society.
Education should cultivate not just intellectual skills but also civic virtues.
If students are not taught to value cooperation and mutual respect, social fragmentation may result, weakening democratic institutions.
Counterargument:
Some argue that education should be a meritocratic system that rewards hard work and intelligence with economic and social mobility.
Rebuttal
:Allen contends that while education can promote social mobility, its civic mission—promoting political equality—should take precedence, as democracy depends on it.
Allen refers to the history of civic education as including lessons in debate, dialogue, and mutual respect.
Civic virtues
—qualities that are essential for cooperative living in a diverse, democratic society
Current educational system’s focus on economic goals-The current educational system overly prioritizes economic goals at the expense of democratic empowerment.
Allen criticizes the focus on standardized testing and job preparation in education policy, arguing that this narrow focus sidelines the broader civic purpose of education.
Education has been reduced to a tool for economic competition.
By focusing predominantly on job skills, education may fail to develop the political and critical capacities needed for a well-functioning democracy.
Key:
Green:
Main Claims
Red:
Sub Claims
Blue:
Evidence
Pink:
Implications
Orange:
Key Words
Works Citied:
Allen, D. (2016, April 26). What is education for?. Boston Review.
https://www.bostonreview.net/forum/danielle-allen-what-is-education-for/