ABSTRACT
John Dewey's vision embraced the promise of education for the masses and, in particular, Dewey viewed public education as a cornerstone for the preservation and sustenance of a democratic nation and society. In The Essential Jefferson, edited by John Dewey, we are reminded of Jefferson's warnings on the perilous risks to democracy that can only best be countered by a widely accessible public education system. Dewey viewed education as the process for one to prepare for the privileges and responsibilities of adulthood. While the dominant discourse on the purpose of education is focused on success as defined by college and career readiness, we call for a broader light to be cast. Cultural capital is the knowledge that is privileged by the elite. By going to museums, attending operas, and learning to play Mozart, one possesses the knowledge that is seen as “bougie” in modern society.
