The Philosophy and Objectives of The National Defense Education Act

Abstract

Considered in its historical context, the National Defense Education Act expresses a Congressional attitude that has characterized federal legislation in this field from the be ginning of the Republic. The variety and scope of its concerns, the number and size of its grants, and its widespread public acceptance indicate that this Act will exert influences beyond and in addition to its specific defense intentions. The National Defense Education Act recognizes that education is a national unifying force, and it regards an educated citizenry as the country's most precious resource. Its ten Titles are designed to motivate the discovery of intelligent and talented young men and women and stimulate them to devote themselves to the sciences, foreign languages, technology, and in general to those intellectual pursuits that will enrich personal life, strengthen resistance to totalitarianism, and enhance the quality of Amer ican leadership on the international scene. The Act is also a contract that reasserts the partnership of federal and state governments in education, the former assisting with funds and counsel, the latter exercising full control over their own educa tional systems and programs.