The words by definition, imply, some sort of education (learning a set of values or facts) for the people who live in a country or geographical location which uses the political system of democracy.
In general, it seems, that a people who considers themselves democratic, usually decides to teach core values to their populace, to develop general use societal concepts. These at the very minimum, include values like being able to read written material, albeit religious at least early in history as well as language skills/writing and doing basic mathematics which are required for record keeping and basic technology for people. Other core values include teaching of a peoples history, concepts of religious education, social and ethical societal expectations, rules and procedures. These values are required for the citizens to become productive members of their society or culture.
Reviewing two rather divergent education theory essays, one from 1897 and the other from 1994, demonstrates the diversity and evolution of thought over a period of rapid changes in the American culture.
Prior to 1897, education was primarily based in the person's home or cultural/extended family/religious context. Public Education was a societal approach to standardizing basic education for the growth of the nation.
In this context, John Dewey wrote in 1897, his thoughts about his thoughts on public education. His "Pedagogic Creed", describes principles employed at the start of the 20th century. We see that Dewey felt that the goal of education to prepare the individual to serve society to the best of their abilities, Dewey develops the idea that teachers are facilitators and much like the English educational system today, are tasked with a "sorting of students" aspect of their employment. Dewey relies heavily on basic education, reading, writing, mathematics as well as philosophical aspects of education such as morals, ethics, and religious education as cornerstones of effective education. These teaching of basics over time cause the student to seek additional information on more specialized course or topics. Dewey uses tests as a primary metric for assessing progress/student fitness and sorting students. He notes that the teacher must "continually and sympathetically" observe student progress. What is so interesting is that we know today that everyone develops at a different rate, boys versus girls, and puberty related development.
The CNM-ATL program emphasizes teacher "passion" in a system which compensates poorly and overworks regularly. Dewey muses that "teachers realize the dignity of their calling", that they are the social servants to shape society. Dewey condemns Sentimentalism. They are the "prophets of a true god" and "usherers in of the true kingdom of god". Give me a break!
Kohn's 1994 polemic on educational assessments reflects a fundamental shift in philosophy. Missing are religious references (supreme court)and the prophecy of the profession. Testing is still employed, but, now as a necessary evil. Sentimentalism is rampant and rigid education is now condemned. Sorting of students is condemned as well as society preparation now individual preparation for an unknown cause and "no child is left behind" philosophy. Teachers are now tasked to become assessors (albeit not overdone) and coaches. School is safe, curriculum has quality and student actively aid in their education (to a point). No more sorting for excellence. What have been smoking?
My meager analysis of all this is that we went from minimal testing/evaluation/expectations, if any to a great deal to limited, a full circle! We went from a rigid system which produced graduates to a sentimental liberalized system today, replete with GED's, Charter Schools, Public Schools, and Alternative School which doesn't produce graduates or produces graduates with poor skills requiring, remedial education as adults. We are struggling in 2012 to address this Graduates issue while we still try to make the flawed system work. There is an old saying: "Repeating the same errors of your predecessor's" dooms you to "Failure". I suggest here that we need to return to a rigid system of education with modern societal constructs included.
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