I think this is an interesting article on the purpose of education.

http://www.aft.org/pdfs/americaneducator/winter1213/Senechal.pdf
The Folly of the Big Idea
How a Liberal Arts Education Puts Fads in Perspective
By Diana Senechal
American Educator
Winter 2012–2013

Today's worship of sweeping innovations is preventing more modest, thoughtful ideas from being heard. As those who wish to build on the past are assumed to be protecting the status quo, we risk forsaking the works of lasting beauty and practical significance that are part of the liberal arts tradition.