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The Purpose of School
Reshard Saulter
School of Education, Liberty University
Author Note
Reshard Saulter
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to
Reshard Saulter. Email: rmsaulter@liberty.edu
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The Purpose of School
What’s the purpose of schooling?
Although this question appears to be straight forward, it is anything but that. Around the
world this topic has many perspectives and views. Communities feel that it is critical to have
clarity when addressing schooling. To assist school communities, ponder over the purpose of
school, learning the history can help as the purpose in our society has changed over the years.
During the 1800’s public schools had a central role to preserve the American Democracy and
hold democratic values (Horn, 2021). In the 1970’s and 1980’s America schools changed in the
form of keeping the country competitive. Looking at the current primary purpose it has shifted to
asking schools to eliminate poverty by not focusing on test scores, instead making sure children
in all demographics achieve a basic level of proficiency in all core subjects.
The purpose of education is to give everyone interested the tools needed to develop the
skills’ to be successful members of society. Education has shifted from educating a literate
society to teaching a learning society. Schools produce a learning environment and opportunity
to change a student’s life positively and to instill the values to help build character. King (1947)
during a speech at Morehouse College stated “The function of education is to teach one to think
intensively and to think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the
greatest menace to society. The most dangerous criminal may be the man gifted with reason but
no morals. … We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—
that is the goal of true education.” Schools should have a high but realistic standard for students
to reach and provide the tools needed to reach those standards. The future needs investment and
there’s no better way than to invest in our kids’ and their education.
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Faribault ISD adopted a mission statement that aligns with my view of the purpose of
school. Faribault ISD “provides a high-quality and equitable education that nurtures, inspires,
challenges and empowers all students to engage and grow as learners and citizens" (Faribault
ISD, n.d.)
Why do you hold this view?
Growing up sports were perceived as the only road to an opportunity and escape from the
lower-income areas I was raised in. This perception was not only in my family but within the
community. Prior to my brothers, sister and I attending college no one else in my family earned a
degree. My parents attempted college but never made it to the point to earn a degree. I am the
second oldest of four kids my parents had. My older brother was the first to attend college, but I
was the first to graduate. I utilized sports as a means to the end by earning a scholarship and
attaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. Although, sports were able to get
me to college and pay for it, education was my way out of poverty. By obtaining my degree,
doors were opened in ways sports never could. After graduating from college my older brother
graduated, then my little sister and the youngest of us all attended a technical school. I recently
earned my master’s degree in educational leadership and currently working on my EdD in
Supervision and Administration. Education and my siblings have inspired, challenged, and
empowered me to do better, be better, and taught me skills to be a successful part of society.
How would this view shape your administrative philosophy as you attempt to shape the
direction of your school system?
Based on my training and experience my philosophy and leadership style is geared
towards Servant Leadership. Servant Leaders are servants first and leaders second. The reasons I
chose the servant leadership style is: 1) Fits well with my belief of empowering and engagement
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of staff. 2) This style is beneficial for helping to get the most and best from a team. 3) Can foster
educators and students to come up with creativity and useful ideas. 4) Allows for time to think
about decisions that would incorporate everyone to be on the same page. As a servant leader my
goal is to inspire and lead through my actions and not just words. Educational institutions are a
gateway for students to access the future and for administrators to influence. Philippians 2:3, Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above
yourselves.
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References
BibleStudyTools Staff, (2021). Bible Verses About Leadership.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-leadership/
Faribault ISD, (n.d.). Mission Statement. https://www.faribault.k12.mn.us/district/vision-and-
mission
Foshay. A.W., (1991). “The Curriculum Matrix: Transcendence and Mathematics,” Journal of
Curriculum and Supervision.
https://files.ascd.org/staticfiles/ascd/pdf/journals/ed_update/eu201207_infographic.pdf
King, M.L. Jr., (1947). "The Purpose of Education". https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-
papers/documents/purpose-education
Zervas, T.H., (n.d.). Finding a Balance in Education: Immigration, Diversity, and Schooling in
Urban Am https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1219878.pdferica, 1880-1900. Athens
Journal of Education - Volume 4, Issue 1 – Pages 77-84.
Horn. M.B., (2021). Begin With The End: What’s The Purpose Of Schooling?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelhorn/2021/04/15/begin-with-the-end-whats-the-
purpose-of-schooling/?sh=76ae30d5b399
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