ABC's

To what extent do our schools serve the goals of a true education?

I asked myself what the definition of education is. Education is general knowledge, useful for life decisions and reasoning, which prepares one intellectually and physically for the future. Schools have the tendency to coast off of the true meaning of education. Knowledge is not taken in through force and specific requirements. Schools need to provide an environment in which a student would be willing to learn new things, through trial and error, giving one a sense of accomplishment when reaching a certain goal. Schools pave the pathway for the futures of the world's youth.

 At times it feels as if the minds of students are being occupied by random and unnecessary facts and information that one will most probably never use throughout their lives. Instead of focusing on redundant material, classes with a more critical and strategic base, when one is required to use out-of-the-box reasoning in order to succeed. I find this teaching method more effective, rather than being lectured about facts, facts and more facts. Many of the world's most intelligent and successful people, have not received a formal education such as, William Shakespeare, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Amadeus Mozart. Math, History and Chemistry are not what create a mature individual. It is the general knowledge and understanding of life and being able to reason and make resourceful decisions. 

Students turn in assignments and study for exams and quizzes for one purpose only. That purpose is to get a good grade and not fail the course. Students are rewarded for their success, giving them the wrong reasons to study and learn. 

Schools need to gather their thoughts on this dilemma and form a type of educational system that digs through the true meaning of education.