Personal Growth in Education
Education is something that should be valued by all in all regards. It is something that is necessary to prosper in society. It is something that forces one to examine their own being and think critically. It should not be fitting into a certain form of test or achieving a certain number on a test. Tests and concrete assignments are necessary in education, but perhaps the most important aspect of education is one’s own personal growth. The most successful people are not the people who get the highest scores on tests, but they are the ones who have reflected on their learning and realized their potential to influence society. They are the ones who have been able to think critically in order to adapt to whatever life presents them with. Strict testing, tense classroom settings, and fear of being wrong are main reasons that the personal growth aspect of education is lacking. Doctorow shows the frustration students feel when they are not allowed to express their personal views and have respectful debates and discussions in school. Multiple times, Marcus questions his teachers regarding controversial topics such as the U.S. Constitution and the First Amendment. The times when his teacher shuts him down and does not allow him to express his beliefs are the times when he becomes discouraged and angry about the future of his education. This concept is magnified on a larger scale with the idea of standardized tests being almost too standardized.
This website is being created for Marc Bousquet's English class at Santa Clara University.