A New Perspective on Education
I was blessed with an education: Catholic grammar school, public high school, and university for 4 years. Later, I went back for another two years to pursue my post-bac certification in education but life happened, I got married and we became blessed right away with Joseph. I wouldn't have had it any other way!
As I endeavor to learn more about homeschooling, specifically the route of a Classical Education, I am beginning to see the various ways it contrasts with the methods and philosophy of education I grew up with and that we typically see today. The aim of my education was to "graduate high school, go to college, get a degree, and get a career and be set and aspire higher and higher" (I say it in quotes because this seems to be a very common goal of 'going to school').
Good? Yes. Those things are great aspirations.
Limited, though? Absolutely.
I say that because this reason alone serves a utilitarian end of temporary happiness - careerism, prestige, wealth, and worldly honor - while withholding an eternal understanding of the human person. This idea of education is limited and finite; it's not completely in accord with who the human person is - a being made in the image and likeness of God. We are made to know God, love Him, and serve Him so as to achieve our Ultimate Reward - perfect beatitude and union with our Lord in heaven. We do not belong to this world, the Lord says (John 17). Therefore, the philosophy of modern education is limited and utiliarian because it sees this world as our end, not God and heaven as our end.
"A Christian education...has as its principal purpose this goal: that the baptized, while they are gradually introduced the knowledge of the mystery of salvation, become ever more aware of the gift of Faith they have received, and that they learn in addition how to worship God the Father in spirit and truth (cf. John 4:23) especially in liturgical action, and be conformed in their personal lives according to the new man created in justice and holiness of truth (Eph. 4:22-24); also that they develop into perfect manhood, to the mature measure of the fullness of Christ (cf. Eph. 4:13) and strive for the growth of the Mystical Body; moreover, that aware of their calling, they learn not only how to bear witness to the hope that is in them (cf. Peter 3:15) but also how to help in the Christian formation of the world that takes place when natural powers viewed in the full consideration of man redeemed by Christ contribute to the good of the whole society."
- Second Vatican Council's Declaration on Christian Education, par. 2
I am learning that the ultimate goal of a classical education is to pursue that which is true, good, and beautiful and to acquire wisdom and virtue. Its final purpose is knowing God. Completely different purpose than what we typically think an education is, isn't it? Here is a good article that compares a classical education to the progressive education we typically see today and probably grew up with. Here is a good, succinct explanation of what exactly a classical education is and Andrew Kern has a new edition of his book Classical Education: The Movement Sweeping Across America that will be released that contains a fuller explanation of classical education, accompanied by newer research and ways to integrate it in your child's education today - whether you teach in a classroom or are a parent wanting to lead your child along this path of education.
***Side note, this is NOT a shot at education but a type of philosophy that dominates our education system. It's NOT a comparison of homeschool versus classroom school as there are schools that teach classically and beautifully. Just want to clarify! ;) ***
On top of this difference, classical education is tried and true - going back to the great ancient thinkers, down through Christianity including the great St. Thomas Aquinas, and up until present day. Even if the ancients (like Plato and Aristotle) didn't believe in the One, True, God (as He had not yet revealed Himself), they believed there was Something Greater to existence and the human person; they sought Truth as they best could.
Modern educational philosophy has discarded classical education because we now live in a post-Christian world that undermines the existence of not only the one, True, God...but belief in any god at all. Man has become the god to serve - meaning, the self. So it's no wonder that this ancient, tried-and-true way of education that has lead to the greatest discoveries of humanity and the deepest reflections of our existence, is being dusted under the rug: Because it leads to God. Thank goodness in recent times, there is starting to be a recovery of it; you can only eat from the dumpster for so long. This I am seeing unfold before my eyes first-hand.
A classical education is not about getting through lists and curriculum; it's not about test-taking yet does involve much challenge and diligence but in accordance to the individual, unique person, not merely a broad comparison to other children in the national average; it's not about "getting though" (as I remember doing - just "getting A's" but then not even retaining and internalizing most of the information I ever learned in a class or course) but focusing on going deeply with a few core subjects in their grammar school years and then expanding into the quadrivium in their high school years (all the while letting them also discover what they want to know more about, catering to their gifts and interests). I know many-a-teacher who while they love their jobs, feel like slaves to the system, the red tape, the testing, and the benchmarks that they feel pressured to make in the current school system.
Joseph and his little Field Guide for Birds book
Classical education is meant to lead one to ponder, wonder, reflect, question, criticize,and communicate excellently. It is the acquisition of knowledge that leads one to grow not just on a "grade level," but even moreso intergrally as a human person created in God's image and likeness. Rather than feeling pressured to pass tests and memorize burdensomely as most students feel, it is a philosophy of education that cultivates a love for learning (great book on that here that I'm almost finished reading), trains a mind to reason, criticize (not as in point out the faults of people, but form and express a sophisticated judgment of something), and think deeply - not only in the formal subject areas, but in life and in the pursuit of that which is good, true, and beautiful. This is the opposite of a lot of the spoon-feeding and superficially memorizing mere information and facts to "get the A" without reflecting deeply about it; it's the opposite of passing students along to the next level even if they really haven't mastered an initial skill...
Ultimately, the pursuit of the good, true, beautiful, of wisdom and virtue, when genuinely and humbly sought, leads to God. "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?" are the words our Lord challenges us with in the Gospels. Really...acquire all the knowledge we want and have the best careers and best things, but when we die, what does it matter if we do not live for God?
THIS is perspective and purpose in education.
This also has given me much peace as we endeavor to homeschool. The responsibility of homeschooling and educating my children is great and mighty indeed. But this has given me great peace and reassured me: I'm teaching a human person made in God's image, not an object to be passed to the next grade level and being pressured to make sure he knows his ABC's by the time he's 5.
"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all else will be given unto you as well" (Matthew 6:33). If I do my part and my God-honest best in this whole endeavor while keeping the Lord first, God will keep His promises and make sure our children - HIS children - flourish as He desires and with the things they need in this world - including a solid education. I'm sure I'll freak out at times and doubt myself, but if I can go back to this and ruminate on it, I'm sure I'll be set straight again. ;)
I am surely being inspired as I listen to many podcasts, conference talks, and read, read, read. There are many, many truths about the human person and our existence, not to mention our physiological and psychological development, that classical education is grounded on and it's so inspiring to be learning and discovering this. Thanks be to God!
Some Resources that Have Helped Me Learn...
Here's a page of resources to learn and read more:
Here is a list of experts who speak on various topics of classical education; they also have great podcasts (they are great to listen to while folding laundry, doing dishes, etc...!) I think I've listened to most of them by now:
Here's how I'm being inspired to read, read, read, to the kids and encourage in them a delight in literature - again, I've listened to them all so heard many perspectives from various experts on the importance of reading aloud and fostering a love of reading:
Simply Convivial - Classical Homeschooling
Amongst Lovely Things - I think this is my favorite blog :)
Charlotte Mason Help - Helps you apply Charlotte Mason's philosophy in your child's education
"In a very special way, parents share in the office of sanctifying by leading a conjugal life in the Christian spirit and by seeing to the Christian education of their children."
- Catechism of the Catholic Church #902