Education, what's it all about?  Our current financial times are requiring school districts everywhere to re-examine their course and program offerings.  This re-examination may result in a new definition of education.  As programs, such as music, art, theater, and sports, such as tennis, swimming, and soccer, experience budget cuts or total elimination, we see public education changing from the well-rounded, well-cultured approach to narrowly academic. Historically speaking, we've been here before.  Education in America started as an academic endeavor, designed to provide a certain set of skills to the general population.  Those who may have excelled in activities outside of the classroom were responsible for pursuing them on their on time and dollar, which normally limited exposure to the elite, wealthy populations.  In more recent history however, the public school system has prided itself on being a place where students learn more than simply the three R's.  Public school students have had the opportunity to experience foreign language classes, instrumental music classes, photography and ceramics, woodshop and cabinetry making, and many more.  Now however, these things are on the chopping block.  A New York Times article reports on some similar situations.  Click here to read more.  This financial crisis demands a critical look at what education is all about.  Is it the responsibility of the public schools to offer course like these?  How you stand on this issue will speak volumes on what education is all about for you.