Final answer:
Education in Sumer was characterized by the development of cuneiform writing, learning within temple schools, and a focus on priesthood. It was exclusive and served administrative functions, contrasting with the U.S.'s more democratic and universal education system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The essay touches upon the topic of education in Sumer, highlighting its distinctive features and drawing comparisons with the current educational system in the United States. There are three primary features of Sumerian education to consider: the invention of cuneiform writing, the centrality of temples as centers for learning, and the focus on training priests and scribes in various fields of knowledge, such as sacred rituals, divination, and mathematics. Unlike the democratic and universal educational system in the U.S., Sumerian education was more exclusive, primarily serving the needs of the priesthood and the administration of the city-states. Sumer's education system was primarily oriented towards maintaining records, such as laws, treaties, and commercial transactions, and played a crucial role in the administration and cultural development of the civilization. In conclusion, each educational system serves the needs of its society in the context of its time. The modern U.S. system, with its emphasis on universal access and preparing individuals for a wide variety of roles in a democratic society, presents a stark contrast to the more specialized and hierarchical Sumerian educational system, which was directed more at maintaining the administrative and religious structures of its time.