Does education focus too much on individual achievement?

Educators can learn valuable lessons about the purpose and ultimate impact of education on society as a whole from the experiences of veteran African American teachers, who have historically viewed schools as a “public good to expand citizenship, equity, and collective responsibility” rather than an “engine for individual social mobility,” Kristina Rizga, author of "Mission High: One School, How Experts Tried to Fail It, and the Students and Teachers Who Made It Triumph," contends in an article for The Atlantic. According to the article, the experiences of veteran Mississippi Delta teacher Renee Moore and other black educators who established sound teaching practices during times of intense upheaval indicate that teaching students together and having them help one another learn may have more benefit to them and society than separating them by abilities. Historically, African American educators have viewed education as a path to freedom and full citizenship, but implementing these ideals means a stronger focus on building qualities that create better citizens, gaining a better understanding of democracy and the individual's role in society, and strengthening communication and public speaking skills so students can take a stronger leadership role promoting the good of the community.