Purpose: Highlight the differences between public and private schools and to point out the problems with the public education system from a minority point of view.
Central Message:
Teaching in public schools has more to do with precision and detail in appearance than it does with critical thinking.
The ability to regurgitate facts and data is not a true measure of knowledge and ability, but the public school system makes students believe that.
It is more important to be able to learn and write in creative and analytical formats.
Students from minority groups are being trained only in form and not in creative ways of thinking. They are being trained to be well behaved and not question the teacher, when really they should be trained to analyze and ask questions.
Many minority students will never be recognized as capable of analytical and critical thinking when really it’s the teachers’ fault that they are incapable of doing so because that’s how they have been trained.
Validations/Applications:
1 Nephi 11 Nephi desires to obtain more knowledge about his father’s vision of the tree of life. The Spirit asks questions that cause Nephi to analyze the vision and give a response. An example is in verses 14-17.
Ballard- “Whatever you choose to use to inform your friends and acquaintances about the Church, write it down, check it for accuracy, and keep it simple and short.” Analyze information and assure yourself that it’s a fact.
Values:
Equality
Knowledge
Ability
Analyze