This statement, made long ago by William Graham Sumner, points to a truth that bears serious consideration. In recent times we have tended to narrow our understanding of the word education to what takes place in school, formal education. We have as a result isolated the school from other educational enterprises. Schooling is actually a relatively recent addition to the activities of civilized man. We have exalted formal education and heaped upon it tremendous, even excessive responsibilities.
Education goes on before and after school as well as in school.
Education, inevitably and properly, is a family and community affair, a collective responsibility of school, home, and community. Whenever one side of that triangle fails, a child's education is shortchanged in a manner for which neither of the other sides can compensate. The most important teachers one ever has are one's parents. School teachers, although formally trained as such, can never by themselves successfully educate youth for effective living in today's world. Adult models and informal instructors operating outside the classroom must share in the responsibility of educating youth.