General Education in the High School

Abstract

Education is divided by its functions into two major divisions, which are so different that they must be planned, and in large part administered, independently of each other. The one is general, and the other occupational, education. Each person with a calling lives a dual life. For some 130 hours each week he does not work at his calling but lives as a general human being. If his life is well rounded out, he does many and various things. It is best for him and for society that he do these things well. For this reason he requires general education. Its objective is proficiency in general human living. It needs to be extensive and carefully planned. It is much more difficult than any specialized vocation. On the other hand, for some forty hours a week each person with a vocation works at his calling. Here he carries on an entirely different series of activities. If he is to be successful, he must be skilful in both thought and execution. His occupational education is to give him this special proficiency. It has the lesser task. General education aims to make persons proficient in those fundamental fields of human performance that are common to all human beings, such as citizenship, health care, home duties, consumer activities, leisure occupations, language, and the current thoughtlife. Every normal child and youth needs training in each of these fundamental fields. Instruction in none of them is to be an elective, though there must be provision for individual differences. In general education there will be no electives for the purpose of specialization.