Compulsory Education In Gatto's Dumbing Us Down

For those students and parents concerned with the education system in the United States, say ‘goodbye’ to compulsory schooling for the good of the younger generation. One common myth among people is that education is the most important factor in determining one’s success. It has been ingrained in our minds that without compulsory education, one will not proceed anywhere in life. Unfortunately, many people fail to realize that compulsory education is not essential to success. Education is an opportunity given to people that could possibly enhance their lifestyle, but it should not be a force being thrown upon the students. Ironically, even though the United States is a “freedom for all” country, students do not have the freedom to choose what and how they want to learn. Not only does compulsory …show more content…
Throughout the book Dumbing Us Down by Gatto, the author challenges the curriculum of compulsory schooling and offers his ideas for its transformation. Gatto, a school teacher for over twenty six years, criticizes the national curriculum of schooling in his book by stating that it prevents children from learning how to think and act and ultimately dumbs them down. He believes children should be focused primarily on making emotional connections with their community and family, and encourages them to know what is best for them rather than being in a place (school) that will make them even more disconnected from others. Similarly, Cevine Soling’s documentary, The war on Kids, paints the picture of an increasingly authoritarian school system that is failing its students. Children have no voice and they are always the ones being blamed for the failings in the education system. Therefore, Gatto’s and Soling’s opposing views of compulsory schooling should be proliferated and taken into