School is where we build skills that are crucial in life-communication, confidence, and assessing options. School also gives you the foundation to achieve your dreams, whether you want to be a doctor, teacher, lawyer, or run a business.
But not all schools are good. In fact, some are downright evil.
History
Schooling has a long history. The evolution of modern schools has been influenced by the histories of Europe, North America and global colonial expansion.
Schools were often used by the dominant social class to inculcate their values, create loyalty and a sense of identity amongst their followers. This is a key reason why some scholars believe that schools are cultural institutions that influence culture and society.
Large-scale public education began in Massachusetts in the 1850s when Horace Mann developed a system modeled after Prussian schools. He campaigned for a constitutional amendment to make education compulsory. President Ulysses Grant also advocated for this policy, which has now been adopted by most states.
The development of industrial societies created the need for schools to train workers and promote national unity. However, these new aims did not necessarily displace older educational systems, as John Dewey argued. These pre-existing systems, such as religious, apprenticeship and civil service schools, had different purposes and focused on enrichment of the self and community.
Purpose
School is an environment where students are exposed to hundreds of people their own age. This teaches them how to interact with others and develop communication skills that are essential no matter what career they choose. It also teaches them empathy which is a crucial part of any successful person’s life.
In addition to this, schools teach the importance of hard work and the ability to think critically. Those lessons stay with students throughout their lives and can help them achieve whatever goals they set for themselves.
The main purpose of a school is to help students acquire the knowledge that will allow them to lead happy and successful lives. This can be accomplished through a number of different ways, including teaching them how to learn, developing their social skills, and improving their creativity. Other purposes include the development of a national identity, the promotion of equality and justice, and economic efficiency. These aims can vary from country to country.
Structure
The structure of a school determines how decisions are made, who has power and authority and what kind of relationships teachers have with each other. In general, schools are run by an administration, licensed and unlicensed support staff and teachers. Teachers are responsible for teaching students and grading their work. They often receive direction from a school board or district-level administrator and must follow its rules, policies and procedures.
In many countries, school boards are elected by community members and determine local education policy. They typically hire the superintendent and other school leaders and decide on salaries.
In the UK for example, significant structural changes have been triggered by funding shifts and justified by ideas like marketisation. They include the introduction of Academies and Free Schools. These have eroded the control of Local Government over schools.
Community
Schools are an important part of every community. They provide a place for children and teens to socialize, learn new skills, and develop a sense of belonging. They also help students develop their character and leadership skills that will benefit them in their future careers.
Regular school attendance is essential for academic achievement, allowing students to engage with teachers and peers and stay up-to-date on their coursework. It also promotes lifelong skills like problem-solving, self-discipline and relationship-building.
A connected school community enables the diverse knowledge and skills of all members to be valued in a collaborative setting. Schools can facilitate this by leveraging modern engagement tools that allow them to tailor content visibility for users and groups.
Schools can connect communities with essential resources and services by partnering with local organizations and providing students’ families with access to healthcare, food and housing services. This helps to reduce health-related obstacles that can cost students instructional time and decrease student mobility rates.