Abstract
Although the U.S. Constitution espouses equality, it clearly is not practiced in all aspects of life with education being a significant outlier. In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote about inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These two theories are related to education through educational adequacy and equality. Sufficientarianism, or educational adequacy, says that what is important is that everyone has “good enough” educational opportunities, but not the same ones. Egalitarianism, or educational equality, says that there is an intrinsic value in having the same educational opportunities and only having good enough opportunities misses something important, which causes problems for those who have not had the same opportunities. I will argue that the latter theory of egalitarianism, or educational equality is a better approach to the education system in America than sufficientarianism because every child deserves an excellent education and equal access to opportunities regardless of irrelevant factors.
Thesis Completion
2016
Semester
Fall
Thesis Chair/Advisor
Stanlick, Nancy A.
Degree
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
College
College of Arts and Humanities
Department
Philosophy
Degree Program
Philosophy
Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Release Date
December 2016
Recommended Citation
Dominguez, Diana Carol, "The History of Inequality in Education and the Question of Equality Versus Adequacy" (2016). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 143.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses/143
Included in
Civil Law Commons, Civil Rights and Discrimination Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Education Law Commons, Ethics and Political Philosophy Commons, Legal Commons, Political History Commons, Social History Commons, United States History Commons