Phlog #4 What is an American Education?

What is an American education? A National System of Education, Defined by Decentralization

An American education is full of opportunities, from Head Start programs for low income families to elite college preparatory private schools. Financially, America is committed to education—mostly through property taxes—although debate remains with regard to teacher pay.  Now, an American education in regards to decentralization is the fact that locals are trying to determine what is best for our students in our state.  Although, we are not the ones creating the standards for NM, how can we even think of moving away from decentralization to centralization and try to compare our state that is pretty large in size, to a smaller or even bigger state?  There are various factors to consider with decentralization that include the financial aspect, the curriculum design of our classrooms, as well as the type of state we live in whether it’s rural or urban.   It would be nice to have a centralized education system where we could see where we really stand in our education system from state to state, but then again the factors that I listed above make it seem like it’s not such a good idea either.  Just like each teacher is going to teach the material in their classroom different from other teachers, each state is going to have different needs in order for their state to be considered proficient.  I was unaware of the standards for education here in NM and across the US.  I always assumed that we had a centralized education system.  I thought that our standards were like the standardized ACT or SAT exams taken for college.  It has been an interesting eye opener for me learning about our education system.  I am also starting to ask my husband many questions about education as he is the Chair of the Public Education Commission here in NM.

Phlog #3 Who is education for?

Who is Education for, and what is the ends of that education?

Education is for everyone: the young, old, rich, poor, special needs, individuals and groups. The basic argument that everyone is entitled to an education is true only to the extent that formal public education is accessible and equitable.  Many formal higher education systems discriminate against those who cannot afford it, but education is unending in regard to its unique existence: it lives in everyday life experiences and can happen anywhere, anyplace, anytime.

Everyday life and everyday function require education. For example, my everyday life events are, generally, the same events that occur over and over. Wake up, feed my daughter, get ready for work, go to work, domestic evening duties, phlog and sleep. While my “everyday” is generally the same, the small things I commit to in order to improve my world are different. For example, I attend school on Wednesday, but my weekly preparations, homework and interactions with other students will change the way I view education (it already has). This will lead me down a positive path of action through the application of my new information. My change in everyday action will yield improved results for me. The changes I make through education, and my new results, are the ends of education in my life.

Education is one’s life long journey.  Whether it happens in an APS school, charter school or some other type of school it is the beginning of the journey.  I am glad I have not stopped my journey of education and have continued life by returning to school to do what I love to do, educate our youth and prepare them for that journey.