Goals for Education

Goals are necessary for arriving at a previously chosen point. The absence of a goal usually means failure to arrive. In education, we must know what our aim is in order to arrive. Following are some worthy goals for the Christian educator.

To indoctrinate the student in truth. This should be the ultimate goal for the entire training of our children. It is a general goal but must be remembered in the maze of work associated with teaching. If we miss this goal, we have failed.
To develop moral responsibility. Moral responsibility is the ability to discern right from wrong with the compulsion or conviction to choose right. Students must be taught what is right and also must be helped to appreciate the satisfaction and lasting rewards of doing right.
To develop in the student a sense of right in relation to the surrounding world. This involves helping him to be aware of the world and its ways that affect him, without developing a craving for becoming a part of its system. Our aim should be to prepare him to live as a stranger and pilgrim. This means avoiding suggestion about a student's future that would place him in occupations we would not consider worthy or safe for Christian people.
To develop skills necessary for life and service. Computation and communication skills are essential for a life of service. Our schools should not be lacking academically. We need teachers with an avid interest in teaching and in learning so that we do not fail by default to communicate academically.
To help the student attain a satisfactory social adjustment. School life can be valuable in helping students learn to live with others if varied background, training, and ability. For example, and A student will need to learn to live with and relate to a C student without a feeling of superiority or pride. School life is also a time to guide the development of interest between sexes. Social maladjustment generally begins early in a child's life.
To help the student develop a responsible attitude toward life. We must develop in our children a strong sense of obligation to contribute. The attitude that the world owes us something is parasitic and self-destructive. We must develop a love for the satisfaction and joy of sacrifice.
To help the student understand the relationship of law and freedom. Freedom is based upon and preserved by law. In the absence of law there is bondage. Communicating this principle will help to develop a responsible attitude toward civil laws. We are witnessing the development of a society that does not appreciate or understand this truth; consequently, it places in jeopardy the freedoms we hold dear.
To develop a sense of the dignity of honest labor. Disdain for common work is a poison that destroys productivity and moral fiber.
To help each student develop his God-given abilities in a humble way. God has given varied gifts to different individuals. These should be developed without fostering pride in some or intimidating others. We must encourage but not flatter, challenge but not draw attention to some at the expense of the less able. Each should be helped to accept himself as God made him and to use his gifts for God's glory.
To develop in the student the ability and desire to continue the process of education after school. Education is a life-long process. We should not conclude that when a child is through school, he is finished with books. School life should stimulate an avid interest in learning for the sake of personal development.
To develop physical and mental disciplines. A person undisciplined physically is usually undisciplined mentally. We should insist upon physical neatness and orderly work. We should help the students to discipline themselves to view difficult assignments as a challenge and to persevere to completion.
To teach the process of orderly thinking. School studies can provide excellent training in understanding how to relate facts one to another. Doing it in natural things will assist in spiritual understanding. Math and its related subjects are valuable for this.
To contribute toward developing a Biblical life pattern. The framework of truth develops a lifestyle unique from the culture in which it exists. The school is one part of the total teaching program that helps to develop this for succeeding generations.

May God help us to be goal conscious in our teaching so that we arrive at the destination for which we are striving.

These goals for the Christian educator were taken from the Rod and Staff Publishers' catalog.