I went into teaching because I wanted to help all of the poor (literally) people who had been screwed by the system. Problem was, after reading Anyon's article, I realized that I'D BEEN SCREWED BY THE SYSTEM.

This article and others in its ilk (try also anything by Ivan Illich) are part of the curriculum when we train as teachers. We learn that education is a middle-class endeavour…. etc. etc. (So why does the behemoth just keep on rollin' you might well ask.)

What you've written about isn't news or even seriously shocking to sociology and education departments everywhere. That you felt you needed to have a disclaimer speaks to the incredible power of the status quo.

When I teach in a high school classroom, I am explicit in telling my students that they have strengths and that a formal school setting isn't everyone's friend. We're there to work together to follow the curriculum – and to take from it all we can (this is why it's critical to me that high school students have some idea of who they are and where they're going – so they can get the most from high school instead of feeling stupid and overwhelmed). When I hang out my “follow your dreams” shingle as a personal branding service, I'm working towards having more people come to the realization that they can do things differently (instead of feeling stupid and overwhelmed).

I think you'd enjoy reading Illich if you don't already – his “schtick” is that institutions do the opposite of what they claim. Education keeps you from thinking, health care keeps you sick… etc. As a member of a Catholic order he was safe to express these ideas until he pointed out that the Church keeps you compliant – then they turfed him out. I'm sure he saw it coming.

Kind of like when coworkers become peers and you might get away with some free time to talk to them. I don't know, I find that humans are natural social creatures. Schools aren't the platform. Human nature is.

Children learn because it is their nature to do so. It works really well when they are allowed to learn what they want, when it becomes relevant to them. Adults do this all the time when they become interested in something, and so do children when they are allowed. It involves trusting the child which is the antithesis of what happens in school where it seems it is believed that without rules and memorizing and regurgitating for tests that children would never learn anything of their own accord.

Glad to see some people outside of the homeschooling/unschooling life making the connections you are making about schools.

Thank you so much for the recommended reading–I've been meaning to do a follow-up education post once I got my hands on some more resources, so I will absolutely take your word for it. Appreciate it.

Also–appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment & connect. Happy to have you.

Have a great Tuesday!

Ash

As for this post… yes, agree with your points. And if I can recommend John Taylor Gatto's book “Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling” as a resource, check it out. An NY teacher himself, Gatto discusses what he believes are the seven REAL lessons that a teacher teaches his/her students — lessons that have nothing to do with whatever we think we go to school for.

These seven lessons include Confusion, Class Position and Indifference. Definitely worth reading.

Best wishes
Tom

For example, capitalism in and of itself is not necessarily good or bad (markets have been around as long as people have been around), but having profit being the sole driving force behind capitalism only makes for a messed up system (as we're experiencing now).

As for education, the goals are noble, but, as you pointed out, the underlying values hint at something more sinister. I'd submit checking this link out (http://www.ideaeconomy.net/ideas/future-educati...). Seth Godin's piece is fascinating enough, but the second video with Sir Ken Robinson piqued my interest even more. Schools were designed to create consumers. You won't see that on any report card, but it's true.

The bottom line is that we are building a world upon the most base instincts of humans (greed, ego, competition, mine-mine-mine-ism) whereas the more generous instincts (compassion, co-operation, forgiveness, grace) are left to the Hallmark cards and network Christmas Specials. Human beings CAN be more and our world CAN be more humane, fun, and just; we just have to work at it a bit more because our forefathers decided that quantity trumps quality. I hope our generation can overcome such shallow and silly notions. Blogs like this are saying that we can. We just need to teach our children well. Case in point: my three year-old niece can now say her ABCs AND “stick it to the man”. It's a start…

Great post. Thanks for sharing.

Welcome to the site, Hillary! Glad to have you!

Hells yeah woman–you're a superstar with some clean writing, a clear head and a super fresh perspective.

thank you.