Robert J. Hepburn sent the following letter (response sent from mail@cartalk.com).

An educated person:

1. Someone who is prepared for a productive life.

2. What does that include? Well,

a. Enough "schooling" to be fully functional in our economy, including job readiness, understanding "credit," budgeting, simple repair jobs like changing a light switch, etc.; communications (oral and written); ability to follow directions and technical training whether it is in the trades, vocational arts, business education, homemaking or advanced certification or bachelor's, masters, etc., at a university. Incidentally, you guys are a bit "myopic" about universities, always mentioning only schools like MIT, Harvard, etc. There are many other fine public and private universities outside the Northeast that have great reputations and produce very fine students. Examples might include Michigan, Wisconsin, Pitt, North Carolina, Duke, Chicago, Stanford, Penn State, Alabama, etc. My point is that, since you get calls from all over the country, it would be nice to mention some other schools once in awhile, other than MIT (your alma mater?) and Ivy League schools. I do think they are all excellent universities.

b. Job experiences of some sort so the individual understands what work is and what it means to "hold a job."

c. Well-developed reading and writing skills beyond the minimum required for successful employment.

d. Leadership skills and understanding of leadership techniques.

e. An appreciation for health and fitness, including "life" recreational skills.

f. Exposure to and appreciation of dramatics, music and art.

g. A full grasp of what teamwork is in all facets of life...home, friends, work, community.

h. Basic social skills.

i. Finally, based on a religious outlook, a strong ethical, moral base and a willingness to commit to the implications of such a philosophy.

3. In order to attain such a "rounding" of a person, one needs first and foremost a strong family influence, which can teach all the life skills or can provide for it through other organizations in the community. Secondly, good schools whose task is to prepare a person with the "job skills and readiness" needed. It is NOT the function of school to be the implanter of morals and ethics (although they have a responsibility to support the influence of the church and the family). There are many organizations that can also influence the development of the child (the maturation process), such as Scouting, YM/YWCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, Red Cross, community and church youth groups and more.

4. Therefore, high-quality preparation for life is family and community working together. It takes all segments to influence the child in his or her readiness for a fully integrated part in "the community" as an older high school person and then as an adult.

When we apply only the formal class exposure gained in schools and colleges, including community colleges as well as four-year colleges and universities which go well beyond the four years, we have only the "technical" skills needed to hold some kind of "position" in the community. There is a lot more than just that to give a person an "education."

Back to Tommy's Education Forum Part II

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