What is education for?

1. Call for educational reform

1.1. Allen calls for comprehensive educational reforms that ensure civic education is prioritized alongside vocational training to fulfill both democratic and economic needs.

2. The role of education

2.1. Education should equip citizens for democratic participation and not just vocational competence.

3. Critique of vocational dominance

3.1. Vocational training, especially in STEM fields, has overshadowed civic education, undermining democratic engagement and civic knowledge.

4. Historical foundation of civic education

4.1. Civic education was historically central to the mission of public schooling in the U.S., intended to prepare engaged and informed citizens.

4.1.1. Recent educational policies have marginalized civic education, leading to a decline in civic engagement and weakening democratic processes.

5. Advocacy for civic education

5.1. Allen argues for reinstating civic education to its rightful place to address the deficits in democratic participation and personal development.

6. Economic arguments

6.1. Addresses and refutes the economic justifications for prioritizing vocational training.

6.2. Emphasizes that neglecting civic education for immediate economic gains risks long-term democratic health.