The discussion for today is Public Education: what is its purpose?
Many people have differing opinions as to where it came from, and ultimately where it should go. From my perspective as someone who has worked as a substitute teacher, and a personal instructor I present the opinion that whatever the shortfalls of decades past we are now beginning a period of light-mindedness.
Probably the most obvious step was the “No Child Left Behind” act. We decided that failure was not an option. So we took the natural consequence of repeating something that wasn’t learned the 1st time out of the equation. Is not repetition a paramount part of learning? Has anyone learned a skill without 1st practicing it? Is it wrong to fail? Did the world scratch out Edison when on his 1st time he didn’t make the light bulb work?
Unfortunately the only ones who really see that this isn’t working are the ones who have lost their voice to speak out. The ‘Teacher’ is held at blame for the lack of education; the school is ‘the problem and needs to be fixed’ or even eradicated in the opinions of some. This is because we as a society have taken the responsibility of raising the child out of the home and put it in the school. The child who learns to read does it by the natural process of repetition in the end, it doesn’t matter what system or law the government passes. He practices reading with a parent at home for example, or practices reading by repeating the grade. We used to understand that.
It’s not the laws or politicians that cause the problems; it’s the mentality that the responsibility of the education system, or the government, or anyone else is to raise my child. The government does dumb things, and isn’t a perfect unit, it’s composed of people who we hope will try to make the best decision possible for the common good. As we watch the effects of the billions of dollars to bail-out defunct businesses, we see another example of a decision gone badly.
I'm not saying teachers are saints and perfect, I've had my fair share that treat it like a 9 to 5 job, but how many professionals treat their own jobs that way? Parents, not teachers, are responsible for the education of their children. We have many different groups dedicated to that specific cause, the PTA for example (Parent Teacher Association). The idea was that the parent woke up, got the child ready for school and sent him off. There the child learned skills and ideas, things that aren’t always brought up at home. Upon coming home he would then practice, study, and essentially complete the cycle of learning those skills so that the next day the child could go back and add more to their knowledge. But in how many houses does that actually happen? Or do we count the reading of ads between shows on T.V. enough practice for tonight? Is pressing buttons on a video game just as good as basic math? And after texting all afternoon on a phone, isn’t that as good as practicing writing for an hour?
There is much wrong with our public education system, but are we really fixing the problem, or just trying to treat the symptoms? In my opinion it seems that we, the society, will continue to treat those symptoms until one day the school system, like so many other things held together by duct tape, super glue, and forgotten hopes, breaks leaving us to figure out how the pieces go back together.
John Taylor Gatto. That is my primary response to your post. My secondary response deals with your last paragraph. Are we fixing the problem or just treating the symptoms? I believe we are doing neither. And therein lies the big problem. Before a malady can be properly adressed an accurate diagnosis must be made. While I believe this has been attempted by some (see primary response),it is not accepted broadly enough for a remedy to be applied. We can't fight what we can't see. Eyes need to be opened if the education issue is going to get beter.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that John has a few good points, but if what he writes were completely accurate, as he presumes it to be, then why isn't the school system working the way he says it was intended? Why is our economy falling apart, why aren't our businesses full of strong labor forces that work and produce without thinking? I do recognize that we are a society that does consume and that people no longer value money, and essentially John and I agree that the important values in life are not taught where they should be, in the home; but we differ because he feels the school is taking away from the home and I feel the school is trying to make up for what isn't taught there in the 1st place.
ReplyDeleteIn the end though, there are 2 things that irk me about John's writings (and this applies to all conspiracy theories): 1 if it is true, then it takes the responsibility out of our hands cause ultimately there's nothing we can do about government conspiracy, and 2 he like many a child passes the blame to something else. If there's going to be change then it has to happen at the base, individual level, I have to change me and we have to change us; no one else can impose lasting change on the individual level.
ReplyDeleteI think that Mr. Gatto’s biggest claim is that the public school system is designed to crank out a populace that is manageable by the elite. I can see that happening. In fact I think the evidence of this is conceded by you. You talk about the problems in the education system and the difficulties in getting them resolved. I consider that a sign of how the elite are successfully preventing change because they have effectively created an apathetic public.
ReplyDeleteI will admit that Mr. Gatto can be a bit heavy on the gloom and doom. But I don’t think he’s trying to shirk his responsibility. He writes books, raises money. He puts forth an effort to change what he thinks needs to be changed.
But if the purpose of the school system is to manage the populace then why doesn't it work? Our society is divided by almost everything. We have all sorts of disagreements, the big companies are in a tumult, the ones that are supposedly managing us. Our police force is pulled in every direction.
ReplyDeleteAlso, to what end go his efforts? He raises money to do what? What change does he incite in his books? Throw out the school system and replace it with apprenticeships? That's his big plan?
He talks of poor job opportunities for college grads, but that's not because of a fault in their education, it's a problem in the career side of things.
While all those forces you mentioned squabble over petty issues nothing really changes. Those in the quasi managerial positions retain their status, wealth, and power. Now I don’t want to suggest that these “Elite” are sitting in a dark room in high backed chairs with the members wearing hooded robes with boney hands steepled and laughing maniacally. I don’t think this is the case. It’s not some evil master plot to take over the world and compel humanity into becoming mindless drones. No it’s just the rich and the powerful trying to live off the sweat and toil of others. Mankind has always sought to do this. It isn’t so much evil as it is just greed. It’s not nice or pleasant but it’s an inherent part of humanity. When abuse of the ruling class reaches critical mass then come the riots and revolts. Then comes the revolution. A successful ruling class is one that functions without abusing the populace to the point where they wont stand it any more. In the U.S. society it stable. Even with all the troubles you point out, society is not on the verge of collapse.
ReplyDeleteIt is tricky to get the job you want. I think one could argue that the job issue is cyclical. Jobs don’t exist because of education issues. People can’t do what they want to do vocationally and so the fields that people want don’t exist. Because they don’t exist other people are limited in their choice when it comes to choosing a profession. School could teach people how to make their dream jobs a reality (or at least they could try) but they don’t. At least I don’t see that happening. So because no one is taught how to do what they want new innovations are only achieved by the few. The few who are lucky and have the perfect combination of independent drive coupled with a great idea. I feel that our schools should be a shelter which nurtures our children’s dreams but instead they squash them.
I believe Mr. Gatto writes to raise awareness. He has not yet won enough people to his cause to be a significant political or social power. But he is trying, he is still working on it. He raises money to also get his message out. He does research on education. I’ve read papers where he contributes to a discussion on what do we do to make education good. He freely admits that crafting a new system is a colossal challenge. I don’t think he advocates switching to a purely apprenticeship system. He says that children need a well rounded education. But the standard should focus on the learning of the child and getting them think.
So that’s what he’s doing. Just because he hasn’t accomplished anything that you can see doesn’t mean he’s ineffectual. What are you doing with this blog if not trying to raise awareness of issues? Your toiling in the same field even if your working for different fruits.
I agree that its insane that teachers, not parents, are held completely responsible for the raising of children any more. If I'm a six-year-old who's father is getting sloshed every night and beating my mother, or if I don't have enough to eat, or if I'm simply not getting enough positive attention at home, what the heck do I care about learning my letters and numbers? So how on earth is a teacher supposed to make sure that all the needs (food, water, shelter, clothing, emotional, etc.) of every child in his/her classroom are met in order to foster a positive learning environment?! That's lunacy!!
ReplyDeleteBut I understand that its much easier to legislate a teacher than a parent. Even though it makes no sense to tie financial incentive to performance goals. How crazy is it that the government is taking money away from underperforming schools?! Those are the schools that need MORE money (in order to try and meet basic needs of students) not less.
I have more to say, but I gotta take care of my kids. Tootles!
At any rate, it's just leaders throwing blame, trying to LOOK like they're making a difference, instead of addressing the ACTUAL problem which would be very unpopular with voters (who are the actual problem).
ReplyDelete