Jared Korotzer
Professor Grady
Writing 1
31 October 2014
For School
In John Taylor Gatto’s essay, “Against School,” Gatto draws on his extensive experience as a teacher to argue that the American public education system does not exist to make students their personal best, but rather aims to create a large, manipulable work force incapable of challenging its government. This, he argues, is achieved by forcing authority on students from a young age, and then proceeding to breed each student for his or her specific role in society. While “Against School” does present an intriguing view of the modern education system, Gatto severely underestimates the value of the academic and social skills students learn by attending school. Furthermore, directly …show more content…
A student’s class is undeniably the central component in his or her social landscape. Students first learn how to connect and effectively communicate with human beings in the classroom when they are grouped together with other children their age. Almost every person’s best friends, social bonds, and romantic interests have been defined by socialization within the school he or she attended. Even homeschooled children regularly meet for outings and “play dates” in order to stimulate social development. The ability to interact, interview, and communicate with other people is important in countless aspects throughout life, especially employment, reproduction, and the sake of personal happiness. Thus, in grouping students together in an intimate setting, schools are teaching an invaluable lesson and a skill that students will use for the rest of their …show more content…
Students burned draft cards and even protested Richard Nixon’s inauguration as president until they were forcibly dragged away or disbanded. These protests shaped the nation’s negative perception of the Vietnam War, forever a black mark on the American government. Once again, these students of the American education system were far from being “dumbed down and
Professor Grady
Writing 1
31 October 2014
For School
In John Taylor Gatto’s essay, “Against School,” Gatto draws on his extensive experience as a teacher to argue that the American public education system does not exist to make students their personal best, but rather aims to create a large, manipulable work force incapable of challenging its government. This, he argues, is achieved by forcing authority on students from a young age, and then proceeding to breed each student for his or her specific role in society. While “Against School” does present an intriguing view of the modern education system, Gatto severely underestimates the value of the academic and social skills students learn by attending school. Furthermore, directly …show more content…
A student’s class is undeniably the central component in his or her social landscape. Students first learn how to connect and effectively communicate with human beings in the classroom when they are grouped together with other children their age. Almost every person’s best friends, social bonds, and romantic interests have been defined by socialization within the school he or she attended. Even homeschooled children regularly meet for outings and “play dates” in order to stimulate social development. The ability to interact, interview, and communicate with other people is important in countless aspects throughout life, especially employment, reproduction, and the sake of personal happiness. Thus, in grouping students together in an intimate setting, schools are teaching an invaluable lesson and a skill that students will use for the rest of their …show more content…
Students burned draft cards and even protested Richard Nixon’s inauguration as president until they were forcibly dragged away or disbanded. These protests shaped the nation’s negative perception of the Vietnam War, forever a black mark on the American government. Once again, these students of the American education system were far from being “dumbed down and