Part 1: Comment on a Stand-Out Idea in Dr. Span’s Historical Introduction

One stand-out idea in Dr. Span’s introduction is the recognition that education has never been a neutral institution—it has always been political, contested, and deeply tied to questions of power. Instead of imagining schools as static temples of knowledge, Span frames them as battlegrounds where rights are won, withheld, or redefined. This is striking because it challenges the “rose-colored glasses” view of history that paints education as a steady march of progress. Instead, Span reveals that access to schooling, literacy, and even what counts as “valid” knowledge has always reflected larger struggles over race, class, and democracy.

That perspective reframes education not as a privilege granted from above, but as a right people had to demand, fight for, and sometimes create outside official systems. It’s radical because it asks us to see today’s debates—over funding, curriculum, equity—not as new, but as the latest chapter in a very old contest.

Part 2: My Own Educational Rights Statement (Ideal World Edition)

If I were to draft an educational rights statement fit for an ideal world, it would go something like this:

The Right to Learn, Fully and Freely
Every person, regardless of birth, background, or circumstance, has the right to an education that develops their whole humanity—not just their employability. Education shall be free, universal, and lifelong.

Equal Access – No barriers based on wealth, race, gender, ability, or geography. If you live, you learn. Period.

Cultural Respect – Students have the right to see their histories, languages, and identities reflected in what they learn—not erased.

Critical Freedom – Schools must teach not only facts but how to question, resist, and imagine alternatives. Obedience is not education.

Safety and Dignity – No child should fear hunger, violence, or discrimination in their pursuit of knowledge.

Lifelong Growth – Education doesn’t end at graduation; societies must provide opportunities for learning at all ages.

This statement addresses the deficiencies of our current system—where schools often reflect inequality instead of repairing it—and insists that learning is as essential as clean water or air. In other words, education isn’t charity, it’s oxygen.

• Bo Min Kim

A stand-out idea in Dr. Span's historical introduction is the recognition that educational access is a fundamental human right, yet it has often been unevenly distributed throughout history. This idea emphasizes that inequality in education is not a natural occurrence but a result of historical and systemic decisions that have marginalized certain groups - whether based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Dr. Span argues that education must not just be about imparting knowledge but also about creating equitable opportunities for all students to thrive.
This perspective resonates with the ongoing global struggle to reduce educational inequality and ensure that all children, regardless of background, have access to quality education. The historical lens Dr. Span provides encourages educators and policymakers to critically examine how past injustices continue to shape current educational systems and practices.

• Arailym Yessenkyzy

The historical perspective on how education in the United States has started to what it is today, showed significant details of the initiatives by the likes of Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Rush, and Noah Webster towards promoting the need to educate all. It was surprising to know that education in America is not a right, but a privilege on a state level. The first settlers came to America with different purposes - as capitalists, to exercise religion, and so on. It wasn't until the pilgrims or the Puritans who mentioned about having literacy as a requirement that allowed people to learn how to read. In this day and age, although Thomas Jefferson was successful in having tertiary education through the University of Virginia and even when his four tier school of education proposal was not met, it shows a parallel foundation to our current education system. I hope that we will continue to promote diversity, inclusion, and move towards better chances for education for all.

• Marichu Lim

In the past, education is for the rich. Wealthy people can go abroad to enhanced their skill, to develop their talent and to gain more knowledge through education. In my country the early people obtained their degree form universities abroad. They gained much knowledge and expertise by educating themselves in Europe and America. Because of their knowledge it opened their minds to fight against the colonizers by writing novels and other literary pieces that mirrored the abused that the colonial country experience from the colonizers. Later, their education opened the opportunity for the independence of my country.
Education is for all. It is one of the basic rights an individual should have apart from the right to live, the right to enjoy the resources nature has offered and many others. Education is a human right where there must be equal opportunity among the people and easy access to deveop the minds of the children who are the hope of the fatherland.

• Ericson Mabale

Education, in history was only for elite communities. Thankfully, we have seen it progress to become an opportunity for all and a basic human right.

• Erikyle Aguilar

The drive to learn among students nowadays need to be aroused. A sense of responsibility has to be further developed. In the current generation, students lack the highest passion to learn -- they must be taught to learn and not merely to remember. Beyond the grades, education is more than the marks that one receives. It's all about understanding right from wrong and applying the importance of knowledge in everyday life. I would add that poor parenting is also one of the biggest factors of poor education, many children are not being raised correctly, thus, they are not well-prepared for what they will encounter in the future.

• Rowena Aguilar

The idea that caught me for this topic is about how education began, truly their main goal was not to help the locals in the community but to gain the 'Gs'. And that education before was only available for the fortunate/elite people in the society, even women are not allowed to be educated before because they see women as low class members in the society.

Good thing now a days we are able to educate almost all the members in our community. Almost because there are still group of people especially those living in the far-flung area and who chose to do labor and earn a living than to be educated due to financial struggles. Thus as an educator it is our responsibility to reach out for them, help them realize the importance of education. Having said that I commend thus educators who risk their lives and travelled even the farthest part of their community just to help and educate those living in the far-flung areas and those educators who render serves for free. I got inspire by their life and so during some of my vacant time I do tutorials in my neighborhood for free. I hope other educators as well be inspired and do the same. So in the near future their will be no more uneducated children.

https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/46682/10-inspiring-pinoy-teachers-in-the-news

• Carolyn Tolibas

A stand out idea in Dr Span's historical introduction is Benjamin Rush's idea of republican motherhood. This is the notion that woman should be good mothers and wives and care for the family rather than being producers of knowledge or doing something to better themselves. This 18th century term for the role of women in society highlights the gender inequalities that have prevailed throughout history. It is crucial to know and understand how women have been viewed throughout history in order to work towards a society that is equal and fair for all.

• Nicola Haskins

@Nicola Haskins,To me what caught my eye was the idea of how education began that caught my attention, since their main goal was not to help the locals in the community, but to gain the 'Gs'. It was only available to the fortunate/elite people in the society before; even women were not allowed to attend school before because they were seen as low class members.

• Adrian Sengonzi