
In today’s episode we take a look at the root of everything we’ve been talking about, what the real purpose of education actually is.
Below you will find the full show notes and reference list for Episode 17 of The State of Education Podcast, presented by One-Room Education, along with links to the resources mentioned in this episode.
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Question of the Week:
What does education mean to you? Is it just facts we need to memorize or is it life skills?
If you have any questions or comments about this episode or any of the information presented, please make sure to leave a comment at the bottom of this post.

Show Notes
Welcome back to The State of Education podcast, presented by One-Room Education.
Today we are taking a look at the root of everything we’ve been talking about, what the real purpose of education actually is.
In today’s episode we’ll be discussing:
- The current debates and issues within education in regards to their purpose.
- How long these issues have been known.
- What some of the smartest, most well minds in American history have to say about the state of education in their own times.
- How these issues apply to societal and pollical issues today.
The Issue
Our main purpose is to help these kids evolve and grow as people.
Katie J., The State of Education podcast, presented by One-Room Education: Episode 17, 2022.
What’s the Purpose of Education in the 21st Century by Valerie Strauss
But it doesn’t have to be either-or. Education should prepare young people for life, work and citizenship.
The Washington Post
If the teacher doesn’t teach you how to do that, then you’re just sitting there learning facts for no reason.
Katie J., The State of Education podcast, presented by One-Room Education: Episode 17, 2022.
MLK’s Thoughts on the Issues (1947)
If we don’t teach our students how to discern what is a fact and what is opinion, then we’re setting them up to be susceptible to all types of manipulation, by individuals and the government alike.
Katie J., The State of Education podcast, presented by One-Room Education: Episode 17, 2022.
The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason, but with no morals.
The Purpose of Education
We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.
The Purpose of Education
If we are not careful, our colleges will produce a group of close-minded, unscientific, illogical propagandists, consumed with immoral acts.
The Purpose of Education
It is absolutely terrifying the immorality of these teachers that are responsible for YOUR children when you leave them there …
Katie J., The State of Education podcast, presented by One-Room Education: Episode 17, 2022.
The Founding Father’s on the Purpose of Education
I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves, (A)nd if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power.
Thomas Jefferson
People aren’t getting the education they need to be informed citizens to be able to govern themselves in an efficient and effective manner on a widespread basis.
Katie J., The State of Education podcast, presented by One-Room Education: Episode 17, 2022.
If the masses are being taught to be employees instead of citizens, then where does that leave our Republic?
Katie J., The State of Education podcast, presented by One-Room Education: Episode 17, 2022.
If Virtue & Knowledge are diffused among the People, they will never be enslav’d. This will be their great Security.
Samuel Adams
I want to be free. I want you to be free; and the only way that we do that is through education.
Katie J., The State of Education podcast, presented by One-Room Education: Episode 17, 2022.
A Bible and a newspaper in every house, a good school in every district–all studied and appreciated as they merit–are the principal support of virtue, morality, and civil liberty.
Benjamin Franklin
What’s the Point?
Everyone needs to have a real education and not just a surface level atomotonic education.
Katie J., The State of Education podcast, presented by One-Room Education: Episode 17, 2022.
The next time a person or a teachers’ union representative is talking about a specific issue within the education system, maybe push back a little bit.
Katie J., The State of Education podcast, presented by One-Room Education: Episode 17, 2022.
Setting up and supporting the family unit in whatever form it happens to take, why don’t we put some money towards that? Because that is more valuable to the base issue within communities and the nation as a whole than funding another afterschool program.
Katie J., The State of Education podcast, presented by One-Room Education: Episode 17, 2022.
If you enjoy this topic and the information presented, please consider supporting The State of Education podcast by either becoming a supporter of the podcast directly *HERE*, or visiting the Support Our Content page to become a *Member* of One-RoomEducation.com or snag something from the Merch Shop @ One-Room Education.com.

References
- King, Martin Luthor. “‘The Purpose of Education.’” The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute, 21 May 2021, https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/purpose-education.
- Strauss, Valerie. “What’s the Purpose of Education in the 21st Century?” The Washington Post, WP Company, 30 Nov. 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/02/12/whats-the-purpose-of-education-in-the-21st-century/.
- Thorne, Ashley. “U.S. Founding Fathers on Education, in Their Own Words by Ashley Thorne.” NAS, National Association of Scholars, 2 July 2010, https://www.nas.org/blogs/article/u_s_founding_fathers_on_education_in_their_own_words.
- What Is the Purpose of Education? – ASCD. ASCD, https://files.ascd.org/staticfiles/ascd/pdf/journals/ed_update/eu201207_infographic.pdf.



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