by Carrie Weitz

Created on: October 10, 2008

A well-rounded education is the pursuit of comprehensive knowledge, balanced across a wide range of subjects. With the purpose of education being to prepare students to become competent, contributing citizens, the broad content of a well-rounded education expands future options, professionally, socially, and personally. Liberal Arts and Classical Education are considered well-rounded studies designed to develop intellectual growth, versus studying for a specific skill or profession.

The current system favors deferring well-rounded studies to higher education, while focusing on a limited number of skills in elementary and high schools. This works contrary to the goals of Liberal Arts, which aim to provide a foundation on which to build specialized knowledge. When the grammar stage has been spent gathering facts, the logic stage spent organizing and testing those facts, and the rhetoric stage has mastered communicating facts, a student gains the tools to learn anything. On the other hand, a student taught to memorize and drill from age five to eighteen has been trained to store knowledge with little need to process or explore further.

Lifelong habits are difficult to break, and the principles of a well-rounded education become harder to grasp. When Classical methods are reserved for those over 18, the developmental stages most suited to this molding are missed. After high school, few students find themselves able, even if willing, to pursue general studies.

According to the US Census Bureau, 53.9% of Americans over the age of 24 have received any college education, and only 27% finish with a Bachelor's degree or higher. The National Association of Colleges and Employers counts 24% of undergraduate degrees as Liberal Arts program completion, or less than 7% of the US population. The expense and competition of higher education prevents most undergraduates from broadening scope and sequence. They find themselves focusing intensely on completing a relatively narrow course schedule designed for specific career and financial goals. General electives are often seen as classes to "get through" in order to meet degree credit requirements.

Despite the growing opportunities for potential degree holders, Liberal Arts studies still carry a stigma. As we continue to specialize, compartmentalize, and hone in on specific skills, we come to devalue knowledge in most other areas, believing they have no relevance to our purpose. When we lose sight of the impact a well-rounded education

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