US philosophy of education
Introduction
The primary purpose of this research is to examine these events that have influenced educational issues and decisions, trace the historical development of the philosophy of Education in the USA, and discuss the outstanding philosophers and their impact on education through various periods. This discussion primarily focuses on the philosophies of education since the philosophy of education entails understanding what the aim of education is, how students should be educated and who ought to be educated. By understanding the latter, teachers, students and the society at large can now know who education should be administered and how decisions impact students.
Literature Review
Major events that influenced educational issues and decisions
Education forms the basis of formal learning in the US and across the world. The education system is surrounded by different standards affected by society, government, and the general public. This research explores how major events have influenced educational issues and decisions that have influenced the US’s school and community. The US is considered one of the most influential countries globally, thus making it have to establish a solid foundation in the education sector. The decision-making process in the US academic sector is influenced by the schools’ board and the public’s members. The US education system has been shaped by several historical events that date back to 1830 during the establishment of common schools (Daniells, 2020). The events have also shaped the economic, social, and political stands on US education.
Education in the US had had ups and downs, especially when it came down to promoting equality in both public and private schools. Racism, gender inequality, and ethnicity have influenced the education system’s decision-making process and issues. In 1964, an American painter Norman Rockwell drew a portrait of Ruby Bridges going to an all-white school, and the security guards escorted her as she was walking to class. The painting signified how wicked the US education system was by not enrolling black children (Michals, 2015). When enrolling students in schools and starting education programs, the US uses a specific year calendar that guides schools on when to open and close schools. However, the timetable can interfere with events such as public holidays like the US Independence Day, July 4. Some events are unprecedented, like pandemics, and cannot be avoided. For example, in 2019, China reported coronavirus’s first case, which has spread across the world, shifting its epicentre to the US. Consequently, the US’s education timetable was affected, and the country was forced to decide on suspending learning activities until the situation has been put under control (Soland et al., 2020).
To improve education quality, the US ministry of education has made decisions that shape how education is delivered to the students. Innovation is paramount, and new things are invented daily. Consequently, the US education system has been affected by the introduction of new innovative solutions in schools. Students have been taught how to improve their skills and promote innovation. Some decisions in US education have given a positive influence, while others have given negative influences. However, there is a need to make decisions that help outweigh the negative influences.
The historical development of Philosophy of Education in the USA and Philosophers
Philosophy of education is a mirage of the logical reasoning and principles applied in education. Moreover, this aspect of education is double-edged as it addresses both the internal discipline of philosophy and the outer part of educational practice. Philosophy education comprises the concepts, aims, methods, and results of the process of learning. The elements of epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and political philosophy emerge to inform the learning process through education philosophy. Furthermore, philosophy education is not an emergent aspect and has a rich historical development, which is resourceful in setting the modern philosophers’ current intellectual list. Following the importance of the historical development of education philosophy in understanding the logic and learning principles applied today, this paper will explore its growth in the US while discussing key philosophers who contributed.
Philosophy education practice started back in ancient Greece, and it was part of the western philosophical tradition. Furthermore, the philosophical ideas of education were rooted in the broader context of metaphysics, epistemology, ethical and political theories (Waks, 2014). The beginning of philosophy education was marked by key philosophers like Socrates, Aristotle, and John Locke. Additionally, the historical development of philosophy education is explained by the evolution of the theories and principles applied in learning. One example is the theory of reasoning stated by Socrates, which demonstrates that the quest for reasons justifying beliefs, judgments, and actions is fundamental, and the process begins by questioning. Through Socrates’ theory, the perception of encouraging education for all individuals emerged as it signalled the pursuit of reasoning. Socrates had students learning from his philosophy of education who continued this discipline, and Plato stood out among them. Plato believed that education’s primary task is assisting students in valuing reasoning and becoming reasonable, and this process involves valuing wisdom above pleasure, honour, and other life pursuits.
Through Plato, the element of categorization of students and the provision of different learning methods based on abilities and interests emerged. Later on, John Dewey, a pragmatist philosopher, refuted Plato’s theory of students’ hierarchical classification by arguing that education should be tailored for an individual learner (Waks, 2014). For Aristotle, one of Plato’s students, education’s principal purpose was to foster good judgment and wisdom, and the learners can achieve it. Moreover, Aristotle argued that learning should facilitate the development of moral virtue and character, which are gained through community-guided practice using the virtue theory.
From the ancient philosophers, the US philosophy of education stemmed, and in the 1930s up to 1948, the pluralism philosophy developed. In pluralism theory, the philosophers aimed to differentiate critical philosophy from speculative philosophy (Katzav and Vaesen, 2017). Critical philosophy was stated to be the reconstruction of existing scientific or common-sense knowledge. In contrast, speculative philosophy provided fundamental, extensive arguments regarding the nature of the world and its people. The critical philosophy is associated with epistemological and logical analysis theories. The speculative philosophy explains the ideas of classical pragmatism, absolute idealism, neo-Kantianism, process philosophy, and phenomenology.
Through the classical pragmatists like Dewey, positivist philosophical contributions emerged, such as meaning and verification by Moritz Schlick and types of empiricism by Cornelius Benjamin (Katzav and Vaesen, 2017). Additionally, normative ethics developed to address the existing concerns and derive its philosophical approaches from metaphysics, psychology, and sociology of society and humanity. Other philosophers like George Berkley, aimed to explain that the human mind drew its knowledge from experience. In conclusion, the philosophy of education is characterized by diverse philosophical approaches that have developed throughout history to the present era.
Reflection
I firmly believe that the philosophy of education is an important area of education which every teacher ought to know. By understanding the philosophy of education can understand the reasons why learner behaves differently, and this can consequently enable the teacher to know how students view their actions. From the philosophical development of the philosophy of education, I have realized that its development does not have a precise origin of the year; however, its success and implementation was influenced by the great philosophers. I think without the knowledge of the philosophy of education, it is impossible to know who ought to be taught and how students should be educated.
Conclusion
This report has successfully attained its objectives and discussed the important events that influence educational issues and decisions that have affected schools and society. From this research, it is evident that philosophy of education continues to play an integral role as it impacts the decisions made by the ministry of education. The paper has also looked into the philosophical development of Philosophy of education. From the discussion, it is evident that great philosophers such as Socrates, Plato and John Dewey contributed heavily in its development.
Recommendation
The USA education system has its weakness and strengths; however, some of the challenges facing the education system can be eliminated by effective implementation of the philosophy of education. Teachers ought to understand the full concept of the philosophy of education for them to understand learner’s behaviour and meet educational goals. Education should also be used to solve social problems in society and focus on cultivating good behaviours which will also benefit society. Therefore, the full implementation of philosophies and ideologies of education can significantly aid in shaping the USA education system.
References
Daniells, L. (2020, January 1). Ten historical events that shaped the public education timeline. Timetoast. https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/10-historical-events-that-shaped-public-education
Katzav, J. and Vaesen, K. (2017). One of the emergences of American analytic philosophy. British Journal for the History of Philosophy, Volume 25, Issue 4. https://doi.org/10.1080/09608788.2016.1261794
Michals, D. (2015). Ruby Bridges. National Women’s History Museum. https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/ruby-bridges
Soland, J., Kuhfeld, M., Tarasawa, B., Johnson, A., Ruzek, E., & Liu, J. (2020, May 27). The impact of COVID-19 on student achievement and what it may mean for educators. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2020/05/27/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-student-achievement-and-what-it-may-mean-for-educators/
Waks, L. J. (2014). Leaders in Philosophy of Education: Intellectual Self-Portraits (Second Series). (Ed.). Springer.