Syncretism is the merging of opposing principles or ideals. An example of syncretism is the integration of formerly pagan rituals into Christianity.
Homeschooling, Public School and Syncretism:
Boston Latin School, the oldest public school in North America teaches and has always taught its students to “dissent with responsibility”. In other words, to express opposition through action or words to authority is the mark of a truly educated person. To this day, the mission of Boston Latin School is still “to engage students in the liberal arts tradition, to prepare them for higher education and to challenge them to be leaders in society.”
Today, few schools hold students to this lofty standard. Over the years, the purpose of public school was whittled down to simply, “make good citizens”. This could be and was interpreted in many ways. Changing times and the cultures that evolved watered down the original intent of the founders of this nation’s public schools. Such syncretism has been affected by major cultural events such as the industrial revolution, racial segregation and forced integration, and later by a lowering of overall moral standards in the Untied States. Today, the main purpose of education is to “educate students”… whatever that means.
My hope is that the dawn and spread of homeschooling will cause public education to evolve to be closer to the original intent and ideal. With homeschooling becoming more popular every year causing more parents to question if their children are really being educated, not to mention what they are being taught, I suspect that the ideals of homeschoolers will become syncretic with that of public education.
So what does that mean for public education? By adapting ideals of homeschooling, what do public schools have to gain or lose? To answer that question, we need to look at the purpose of home education. Wait! There is no one true answer to that question. If you were to look at all the reasons that homeschooling parents educate their own, they would include, teaching children how to learn and think for themselves, allowing them to explore their own interests, freedom of religious education, and the ability to learn at their own pace.
With that said, I have two remaining words: Syncretism anyone?
(This essay is an exercise in vocabulary. I encourage you to pick a new word each day and have your children to write an essay. Choose the number of required words according to grade level, age, or ability. Perhaps you will want to do this exercise yourself.)