Part 46 (1/2)

321. EDUCATION AND SOCIAL PROGRESS.--We may sum up the problems so far discussed in this text by noting that their solution calls for three different types of treatment.

First, we must strike at the root of poverty by giving every individual just what he earns, by making it possible for every individual to earn enough to support himself and his family decently, and by teaching him to spend his income wisely and economically.

Second, wise and careful laws must be pa.s.sed for the purpose of correcting and lessening the social defects of American democracy.

Third, education must be relied upon to render the individual able and willing to do his duty toward himself and his country. The boys and girls of to-day are the voters and home-makers of to-morrow, and the responsibility of preparing those boys and girls for the efficient conduct of community life rests almost entirely upon the school. Thus education is one of the most basic factors in social progress. Neither a reorganized economic system, nor the most carefully drawn laws on social questions will solve the problems of American democracy until the individual citizen is trained to a proper appreciation of his responsibilities toward himself and toward his country.

QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT

1. What is the scope of education?

2. What is the relation of education to democracy?

3. Trace briefly the development of education in this country.

4. Enumerate the chief merits of our educational system.

5. What problem arises in connection with financing the schools?

6. Explain the failure of some taxpayers properly to support the schools.

7. Discuss the control of education in this country.

8. Outline the problem of uniform educational standards.

9. To what extent is school attendance a problem?

10. What are the chief tasks of the educator?

11. Discuss the purpose of vocational education.

12. What is the nature of the Smith-Hughes act?

13. What are the limitations of the conventional school term?

14. What is meant by the ”wider use of the school plant” movement?

15. To what extent is the school becoming a social center?

16. What is the relation of education to social progress?

REQUIRED READINGS

1. Williamson, _Readings in American Democracy_, chapter xxvi. Or all of the following:

2. Cubberley, _Changing Conceptions of Education_, all.

3. Guitteau, _Government and Politics in the United States_, chapter xviii.