To Walzer, the goal of a basic education is to provide all students with the tools they need to succeed in life, while promoting social values and an understanding of democracy. This is all fine and well, but to Johnson education should prepare children for the world they live in and the world they will shape. Democracy can be taught and learned from reading "the papers" not giving the students a say in their education. Students must be pushed into the subjects the teach feels they as a member of society will need to learn. If the school is going to prepare the student to succeed in life than the school must give its students a strong basic education. Johnson pushes his students to take the SATs in their freshman year, makes them take Regents exams regardless of their learning level, and pushes

*All information in this paper came from the article Scores Count and the text Classic and Contemporary Readings in the Philosophy of Education (pgs. 386-411).

So in comparison how do Walzer (ideals and principles) and Johnson (tools and fundamentals) match up? The two educators agree on bestowing upon their students the tools necessary to achieve both in the present and future, while also instilling self-confidence. However, Johnson is more concerned with meeting the standards of society not preparing for what may be as in Walzer's case. To Johnson basic education is giving his students tools and abilities which net results now giving his students a better life than they had. Walzer goes beyond this to instill democratic principles and ideals, which will allow his students to shape society and participate actively in the democratic process. From here Walzer desires students to continue their education in specialized schools in order to achieve their goals and specify the role they'll play in shaping society. Johnson on the other hand is more concerned with teaching the basics so that his students are well rounded and prepared for entering the society that exists now. Where they go from there is up to them. Yet, both men agree upon the most important issue; that all people who desire an education should receive one regardless of their background. In education, whether it is basic or specialized, this is the most important element to success as a society. To deny anyone who is willing to learn is to deny society of a valuable resource in the eyes of these educators.

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