American Education
Chapter 4
The Economic Goals of Schooling The Economic Goals of Schooling:
Human Capitol
Global Economy
Preschool

Human Capitol Theory Human Capitol Theory
This is the idea of educating for economic growth and competition. Horace Mann proposed 2 major economic objectives, and one of those we now call human capitol. Human Capitol contends that investment in education will improve the quality of workers and, consequently, increases the wealth of the community. Mann used human capitol theory to justify community support of schools.
Economists Theodore Shultz and Gary Becker -(Knowledge Economy or Knowledge Capitol) represented ¾ of the wealth of the U.S. and it is the key to further growth.
Growing Economy
Shultz argued that people invested themselves in education to improve jobs… so nations could invest in schools as a stimulus for economic growth.
Becker asserts that economic growth depend on the workforce
Reducing Poverty
Human Capitol Theory provided the impetus for the War on Poverty.
Belief is that poor quality education is a factor and a better education will improve social conditions
Raising Personal Income
Students enter the sorting machine without skills or abilities and emerge with skills for jobs or college. School Curriculum and the
Global Economy Training American workers for higher skilled and higher paid laborers for global economy
Communication & networking improvements have started global economy
The global economy is behind NCLB
Global economy success is linked to literacy, science and math but not so much social studies, history and art
Education should not stop at school but should continue to learn to maintain your position & become a better worker. Life Long Learners
States need to work together to boost education
Technology is the focus on education to provide world class standards
1983 A Nation at Risk blames schools for causing the lack of economic success.