The Persistent Problems of Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Because discussions of educational problems seem to be retracing the same paths and problems, there is need to identify and define the enduring controversies in education and explore reasons for their currency. These issues are discussed in a historical context. The questions of what sort of education is of most worth and what subjects should be basic are issues of priorities: Who should determine educational goals and on what bases? As liberal and vocational education vie for dominance, so foreign languages and geography may lay claim to being essential studies. The issues of school prayer, evolution, humanistic values, and sex education raise the question of whose values are to be taught in the schools of a pluralistic society; and in dealing with problems unique to schools, how shall we deal with individual differences among students and cultures? How shall teachers be selected, educated, and rewarded? These problems may persist in American education for a variety of reasons--the unsystematic system of education, diversity of beliefs and expectations, or public misinformation, to name a few. But a balanced view of educational goals may come through the examples of experienced teachers. (JW)