The Value of Education

I read an interesting piece by David Levy in the Washington Post about art education.  His argument is really about how we educate the teachers who teach art, but a secondary argument is what do we value in education.  In other words, what should we get out of an education?

I believe that we could come to quick agreement on what needs to be taught in our schools. Reading, writing, math, science, and history would make the list.  How about physical education, art, music, and health?  I would think most of us would agree that those need to be taught. 

Yet, how much and at what level?  Should everyone take advanced math or only those who interests lie in science and engineering?  How about music? or art?  When I started college in 1974 I was required to take a music appreciation class even though my major was not going to be music.  Did I benefit from being in that class?  I absolutely believe that I did, but I would have a hard time identifying specifically why it was a benefit.  I was exposed to music that I had never considered.  I began to understand the complexity of music.  I developed an appreciation of how music can play an instrumental role in helping a person express ideas and emotions.  Yet, in my role today did that class benefit me?

Maybe that is not really the question that should be asked.  Maybe the question that should be asked is how have my cumulative experiences helped define who I am and how I live my life?  It is probably unfair to try and place a specific value on a specific course.  

As someone who is intimately involved in trying to define what courses students should take I have come to understand that I need to take the long view.  One course in one semester will probably not make a difference.  But taken together the cumulative effect of my education should make a big difference in how I live my life and how I view the world.