"It seems to me that education has a two-fold function to perform in the life of man and in society: the one is utility and the other is culture. Education must enable a man to become more efficient, to achieve with increasing facility the legitimate goals of his life." .
- Rev. Dr. Martin L. King Jr. (1948 Morehouse College).
In my interpretation, this statement is the culmination of the ultimate goal of education in all societies and cultures. The differences lie in our specific philosophies or applications of educational philosophy, or in other words "an approach." When evaluating my philosophy of education, my views are very clear but ever changing to the needs and standards of each specific situation, while fulfilling basic working knowledge. This philosophy entails a combination of essentialism and progressivism(Ryan &Cooper, p. 313-316). I believe that children do have a desire to learn. They have needs to be fulfilled, but they also need to have discipline. Hard work is will be taught as well. In a classroom, the children cannot overthrow you; you must be able to control them. You need to be firm yet loving. Not only do I desire that they learn the basics, but also learn other applicable life skills. .
The Purpose of Education.
The Encyclopedia Britannica of 1952 says the purpose of education is to raise up children to follow in their parent's traditions with good success. People in all societies want their children to have the same values as their parents. That has been the traditional understanding of a good education. Reading, writing, arithmetic, and history are the tools we give our children to carry on the values we have established for them All societies and cultures, whether tribal, monarchical, dictatorial, democratic, or republican undertake the education of children as a primary function. But why do societies educate children? The answer is both complex and simple.