John Gatto Against School Summary

Imagine trying to grasp complex scientific principles, or attempting to learn the thousands of words in a foreign language without the help of anyone or anything. Even learning to tie a shoe as a young child seems impossible without the guide or example of someone else. In the essay ”Against School,” John Gatto discusses the subject of public school, challenging his readers to consider how and why public school “cripples” children. Gatto claims that in order to fix these problems, children should “manage themselves”(7). He uses different examples in history at a time when formal schooling did not exist, arguing that children were still able to successfully learn on their own. He calls the public school schedule an unnecessary “deadly routine”(2). Although children may not need forced schooling, some sort of mentor and structure should be present in each child’s educational journey. …show more content…
Referring back to a time in history when formal schooling did not exist, he argues that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, some of the most respected and brilliant people in this nation, were “not products of a school system”(2). But did they initiate their educational journey? No, even Gatto admits that “someone taught them, to be sure”(2). Just because formal education was not available does not mean children developed brilliant minds on their own, but instead learned from private mentors or adults. Even today, this mentor-student relationship can clearly be seen through homeschooling. Homeschool parents often read to their young children to both teach and inspire them to love learning. When the children begin to enjoy learning, they become self-starters, internally motivated. Mentors like these inspire children through leadership and example, to live a life of