The Paideia Proposal - Chapters 10, 11, & 12

In Chapter 10, "Higher Learning," Dr. Adler is very brief, and to the point. However, there is really no need to be any other way, when it comes to this topic. This chapter can be tied back to previous chapters in the book, in that our national educational systems have "failed in its main objectives," which is to educate our students. Or, as John Dewey is quoted, "The goal at which any phase of education, true to itself, should aim, is more education. Other objectives may surround that goal, but it is central" (as cited in Adler, 1982)(p.69). Look around the country, look at the statistics in the colleges' first year course repetitive rates, and it can be seen, that preparation for college courses is not successful in the secondary educational system, as it stands right now.


Dr. Adler states, speaking of colleges and universities, "Under whatever name, these higher institutions have been severely crippled by the inadequate preparation of those who successfully apply for entrance" (Adler, 1982)(p. 69). Courses have to be retaken, which means more money is spent by parents, or worse, students taking out loans. The time in which the students could be progressing on to higher level courses is stalled because of the fact that previous level instructors and institutions failed to do their jobs. Again, Dr. Adler writes, "Subjects supposedly learned in the upper years of basic schooling must be taught, or re-taught, in college. Time must be spent in catching up with the deficiencies in reading, writing, speaking, computing, as well as doing something about poor or nonexistent habits of study" (Adler, 1982)(p.70).

The bottom line is that there needs to be an improvement made in our current early years of schooling systems. We, as a country, need to come together and find out what needs to be done, in order to provide the children of today with better opportunities than they are receiving as of right now. Dr. Adler summarizes this very well, "Two things, then, must go hand in hand with the recommended reform of basic schooling. One is the commitment of our society to a policy of full employment, securing for everyone his or her right to earn a living. The other is the enlightenment of parents with regard to the goals of basic schooling - not just earning a living, but living well" (Adler, 1982)(p.75). If we can accomplish these two things, then I believe that we will come out a much better, improved, and higher educated nation.