Fuentes

Nancy Fuentes
Professor Beth Anne Turner
Music 160B
5 May 2015
Philosophy of Education
In fall 2014, some 21.0 million students are expected to attend American
colleges and universities, constituting an increase of about 5.7 million since fall 2000.
(National Center for Education Statistics). In our society education is defined as the
attainment or giving instruction to an individual or a group of students. There are several
ways education can be delivered: there is the usual book reading, formally with a teacher,
learning from someone, interacting with others, or real life experiences. Then there are
the different areas in which you can be educated which include a specification, a major,
or the smaller things like riding a bike or baking a cupcake. Then again how do we
determine who is educated? An educated person is well rounded one who can think
clearly and effectively, has the ability to reason analytically and critically, has ethical
values, and more. Nevertheless, the responsibilities of teenage students in a college
institution are what open the door to challenges, responsibilities, and curiosity. I believe
every student has the opportunity to be educated and after reading articles written by
Reich, Bruni, Roth, and King I see the different approaches that should be taken in a
classroom.
Theres always the question of morals having a place in the classroom. In an essay
by King he argues that teachers are responsible for teaching students about morals in the
classroom. He adds, To my mind, education has a two-fold function in society. On the

Fuentes

one hand it should discipline the mind for sustained and persistent speculation. On the
other hand it should integrate human life around central, focusing ideals. From my
understanding of this quote he believes we should look beyond the hard truth of things, to
think critically, and not be closed-minded. In all of my years of education my teachers
have always raised discussion to the problems of segregation, oppression of women,
world wars, and other large world events that have occurred over time. Weve accepted
what problems weve faced throughout the years and the things that should have been
done better, which is what King is arguing with there being morals in a classroom. He
argues that there should be a moral compass. If we were in a classroom learning about the
time women finally got the right to vote we need to first be taught about how women
were treated before, when they were oppressed. When we are being taught about the end
of segregation we first have to look at the problems African Americans had with slavery. I
agree with King to an extent because while education is responsible for teaching us about
morals, our parents are also responsible for teaching us about morals. However, the point
is, in education, being taught about morals is important because we need to know whats
right from wrong in our society. I agree with his approach that morals are an important
factor in our education and should be included in the classroom.
Higher education institutions are filled with hundreds and thousands of students.
In an article, Demanding More From College, by Frank Bruni he makes the arguments
that students should learn from the people they meet and gain different perspectives. He
states, College is the perfect chapter for diversifying friends and influences, rummaging
around in fresh perspectives, bridging divides. He argues that college is a place where
students should get out of their shells and meet different people because it will teach you

Fuentes

to pay attention to other perspectives rather than seeking out friends with the same
aspirations as their own. Sonoma State has introduced me to such a diverse group of
people. In the past year I have done what he suggest students should do, which is meet as
many people as you can. I have joined different clubs, which include a sorority, a
community service group, and I have attended several events on campus. I have been
very surprised by the amount of differences I have with so many people. Ive met people
that live in different areas than myself, have different majors, play different sports,
different interests, beliefs, religions, and all of these things have widened my
perspectives.
Then theres also the personal factor to getting an education. In an article
Learning as Freedom Michael S. Roth talks about John Deweys argument that each
shall have had the education which enables him to see within his daily work all there is in
it of large and human significance. By this hes saying that education should aim to
enhance our capacities so that we are not reduced to mere tools. When coming to
school, a majority of students believe their sole purpose is to study and get a degree on
the career they want to pursue. In the year Ive been in college, a lot of my teachers have
opened my eyes to this idea that Dewey is arguing. Rather than just coming to school to
get a degree and go straight into a career, we need to have those discussions of larger
world events. Higher education isnt just to help us get a career; its rather to learn about
life itself and to keep learning at the same time. I agree with his approach that education
should help us elevate discussion and enhance our thinking about the world we live in
inside and outside the classroom.

Fuentes

Over the course of the years, students have been lead to believe that the purpose
of education is to get a degree so that its a gateway to the American middle class. This is
the discussion Reich wrote about in an article, College Is a Ludicrous Waste of Money.
Reich is arguing that students have this pressure to go to college because theyve been
told all their lives that its the only way to get into the middle class, when in fact there are
other ways. Reich explains that a lot of the ways you can save your time and money
would be to get jobs that dont require a higher education degree such as cosmetology, or
technician jobs. I myself have been told that same thing that a higher education degree
is the only way to get into the middle class. My parents moved to the United States
believing they would have more job and education opportunities for my siblings and me
for that same exact reason. Im well aware of all the other jobs Reich is stating that would
lead to the same success but that doesnt stop a lot of students like me from continuing
that higher education because thats the way its been for several years now. What our
society hasnt accepted is that there are a lot of students who cant handle that pressure,
or dont enjoy learning as much as others. My sister is a perfect example for that. She was
doing so well her first few years of high school and setting a goal for getting into the
University of California when her last two years she got behind on credits. Now shes
receiving acceptances she cant accept because she doesnt have time to make up the low
grades she received the last two years of high school. She has her mind set on going to a
community college, which will save her a lot more money compared to going straight
into a CSU or UC, and work her way into getting a degree in whatever career she wants
to pursue. I do agree with Reich that our society has set up high standards and pressures

Fuentes

into getting into the middle class, and that there are gateways to the middle class
alternative to a higher education degree.
Students do have alternatives other than going directly into a UC or CSU. A lot of
students dont think there are other alternatives because theyre so stuck on going to these
higher institutions because they think, and have been lead to believe, that its the only
gateways into the middle class. I dont believe that. My sister has gotten all these
acceptances and can fight her way into one but she knows herself that going to this JC
will not only save her a lot of money, but still give her that opportunity to get into the
school she believes is right for her. With the motivation and support from her family,
friends, teachers, and counselors, she can achieve her goals the same way anyone would
going into a higher institution. These alternatives give students the opportunity to still
reach their goals in education and still get into the middle class.
For myself, the pressure of going to these higher institutions has been with me all
my life. In addition to that pressure, my parents not only want me to get into a good
school but want me to get a well paid job. My dad has had this idea of me studying to
become a nurse because of all the job opportunities there are in that field but mostly
because of their good pay. Meanwhile I want to study education because Ive always
aspired to someday become a teacher, the problem with that is, compared to a nurse, they
dont earn as much. Therefore, my dad doesnt like my decision of going into that career.
I dont like decision-making being before I have discovered whom I am or what I want to
do with my life. Attending Sonoma has made me feel like education is more than a
degree. The teachers, counselors, advisors, tutors, and my friends have been so
motivating so that I explore different horizons, which will eventually help me to pick a

Fuentes

major. My teachers and advisors have also contributed to that decision, I have sat down
and talked to them about all the majors and career options and the all are very motivating
and believe that that major would be great for me. Thats how I think education should
work, students should have the freedom and time to decide what they want to do by
talking to their teachers, advisors, and counselors, so they can be sure its something they
want to do.
These four articles have shown me the different approaches people have toward
education. I wouldnt say I agree fully with all of these authors, but I do believe they all
help to explain why students are getting an education. I believe the higher education
institution that I am attending will give me more than a degree and a career but will help
me diversify my perspectives, elevate my discussions of larger world events, and to
strengthen my moral compass. All of these factors will broaden my thinking as a person
and help me find large and human significance in my life and work.

Fuentes

Works cited
"Back to School Statistics." National Center for Education Statistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 29
Apr. 2015.
Bruni, Frank. "Demanding More From College." The New York Times. N.p., 6 Sept.
2014. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.
King, Martin Luther. "The Purpose of Education." The Martin Luther King, Jr.Research
and Education Institution. N.p., Jan. 1947. Web. 29 Apr. 2015.
Reich, Robert. "College Is a Ludicrous Waste of Money." Saloncom RSS. N.p., 3 Sept.
2014. Web. 30 Apr. 2015.
Roth, Michael S. "Learning as Freedom." The New York Times. The New York Times, 05
Sept. 2012. Web. 30 Apr. 2015.