An Older Quote for an Older Time... Still Relevant in a Way? (2)

Elaborate 2

There are many differences between the schools of the past and schools now, and I feel that the quote given from the New England Primer is very indicative of that. It may just be my interpretation, but when I read that piece of text, I find it very evident of the emphasis on both religion and the teaching of basic societal values of the time. We've moved beyond that now, and in our schools of today, we teach more information and knowledge based values. Religion has moved away from (public) schools, and students are not so capitally punished for their behavior. Rather than simply punish bad behavior, now we try to correct it, all as part of a learning process to become a better person and citizen. On that word citizen though, that really is also what schools have been trying to do ever since colonial times here in the United States, and I think that for all of the changed values within the quote, that one goal has remained: trying to educate well-intended, more informed, intelligent citizens who are prepared to be helpful, productive members of society.