To the editor: Columnist LZ Granderson drives house an necessary level usually misplaced in present discussions about the benefits of an undergraduate school training (“School is pricey. And necessary. That’s why America has backed it for 246 years,” Aug. 29). That time is that the main target of an undergraduate school training ought to be on studying abilities that assist college students broadly in life, no matter their profession selection. These abilities embrace important pondering, collaboration with others, publicity to quite a lot of views and interpersonal communication abilities.
With the present emphasis on career-based training, it’s worthwhile to think about the advantages afforded by a liberal arts training that forces college students to ask questions, consider options and be artistic.
Notably necessary is Granderson’s reminder of the significance of training in a sturdy democracy, championed by our founding fathers. The political local weather we discover ourselves in might use extra residents who’re curious and open to quite a lot of views.
After I determined to return to high school as a graduate pupil, whereas additionally working full-time, many individuals assumed I used to be doing so strictly for financial causes — to earn extra money and climb the company ladder. However for me, it was the prospect to resume that spark studying has all the time ignited in me and problem myself to think about new paths.
Erika Cilengir, Culver Metropolis
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To the editor: Reflecting on “training … as [Thomas] Jefferson usually wrote, [is] important to our democracy”: As a retired school professor, I perceive the targets of our occupation — to allow college students to contribute to constructing democracy by their engagement in professions that help range, scientific inquiry and lifelong studying.
An outdated axiom — {that a} school training is a ticket to a better-paying job — is not a assure. However the values of a thoughts that’s skilled to be curious, reflective and analytical escape these whose perspective is grounded in monetary achieve. At the moment we see the democratic values of free speech, freedom of motion and participatory voting being eroded by authoritarian dictum. As a substitute of constructing communities, the follow has been constructing partitions, to exclude those that usually are not welcome right here due to their nationwide origin, race or colour.
For these of us who worth training in any respect ranges, it’s incumbent on us to help universities which might be being investigated, penalized and defunded for causes which might be unjustified. This isn’t the democracy that Jefferson and the opposite founders envisioned for a free nation. Maybe those that are being educated in our faculties in the present day could have the mental abilities and the bravado to cease the erosion of this democracy by the hands of the bullies and know-nothings who worth energy over scientific analysis and media presence over factual proof.
Lenore Navarro, Los Angeles
