This chapter argues the value of education for American citizens and the distinct features of the common school movement. Common school reformers and Horace Mann stressed that education reduces social class conflict and eliminate crime and providing the equality of economic opportunity through the teaching of common moral and political creed, whereas the workingmen’s parties argues education could give the strength to protect them from political and economic exploitation. So Common school reformers emphasized education as a mechanism of social control, whereas the workingmen’s parties emphasized education as a mechanism for gaining political and economic power. Even though, both groups had distinct opinions about the importance of education, they had same purposes for eliminating the distinct social class and the equal economic opportunity for all American citizens. I agree both opinions because education helps to escape from ignorance to protect against the abuse of other people and through the mass schooling learns the public morality to judge their acts. Moreover, education induces the development of each individual’s life as well as the society that the citizens can explore their ability through the education for their convenience’s life and also they struggle to become the high social standard. Therefore their abilities of exploration help to provide the better technology and the economic stability.
The critical issue is the inadequate school funding was increasing for the benefit of the wealthy because of the lack of the educational structure that the working class received the bad quality of educational conditions and limit curriculum. I emphasize that the educational reforms is always necessary to maximize the quality of education to the citizens so that all citizens have the opportunity to get adequate education to improve their economic lives.
Do you agree that the modern educational system provides to the students the enough benefit and the good quality of environment? What are the reasons the distinct social class still exists and the political conflict and economic problems have increased more, even though, poor citizens have the opportunity for the free education?
