Sherri Spelic’s article, “What We Should Be Talking About When We Talk About Education,” helps convey the overall meaning and purpose of Dr. Cottom’s book, Lower Ed, and her thoughts on the topic of the privatization of higher education were interesting to read. Her thoughts reinforce the idea that not all education is good and that society is failing to accommodate all members. I too believe that education system is in need for a change and has not changed my view on Dr. Cottom’s book.

Just like Sherri Spelic, I too believe that I was raised on the belief of the education gospel. Both of my parents enforced the idea of college to both me and my brother growing up and the idea of not going to college, for both of us, was absurd. When the topic of college always came up in conversations, my dad would always say to me, half-jokingly, “the world always needs ditch diggers.” When I hear that word I instinctively think of a person without a college degree, working long hours for little pay. My mom would also always reinforced the idea that college was a must but wasn’t as harsh as my dad. Even though my dad can be a little harsh I understand that he only wants the best for me and my brother and make a healthy and happy living for both of us.

On the topic of college, I love the field of engineering and the sciences and would like to major in it but, I believe that if I didn’t want to do engineering I would’ve still majored in a STEM field. I would still have majored in a STEM field because I don’t think I would get a good job or be evaluated highly if I didn’t have it. I feel that I would be payed substantially less than a coworker with a STEM degree if I didn’t have one. I don’t really understand why businesses prioritize STEM majors over majors that correlate with the type of job your applying for. Is it for prestige or is it because of the rapid advances in technology?

On the education gospel, I fully believe that education is a public good. For me a public good is something available to everyone in a society. It is a service provided to the public and should be used to improve societal conditions and foster the growth of the next generation.

Sean Morris’s article, “Pivot to Online: A Student Guide,” is very concise and helpful for students and instructors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The article also gives some shocking information about internet access throughout the nation and problems with students either facing home insecurity or economic insecurity. Sean Morris backs this information by a study done by EdSource in California, “EdSource reported that only 30% of households in rural California have internet access; even in urban areas, only 78% of households have service” (Morris). To me personally, it seems that greater changes in educational training for teachers and educational technology subsidies are needed to help America’s educational system reach the poorer parts of America.

Changing subjects, I don’t know if any of my other peers have experienced this but, my internal schedule is messed up from not going to school at a set time and it makes going over to my computer somewhat foreign to me. Also, my school is trying to create a online schedule, but either due from lack of information from my teachers or the multitude of educational sites my teachers use makes online classes seem daunting. After reading Sean Morris’s recommendations at the bottom of the page, I agree with recommendation number seven, “Be forgiving.” I do believe and hope that the virus will subside like the flu and life will eventually return back to normalcy. Stay safe and wash your hands.