John Taylor Gatto questions the value of the American public schooling system.  Gatto poses the question, “Do we really need school”? My response would be, “What is the alternative”? I agree that there are severe issues with the current American public school system, However, I am not sold on the idea that public schools  teaches children to be mediocre, mindless participants of society, and therefore stunt their growth. I would criticize Gatto in his one dimensional thinking here, for public schools have provided numerous opportunities to millions of children across America.

It can be argued that even Gatto himself isn’t completely against the current school system, just how it is currently enforced. “Once you understand the logic behind modern schooling, its tricks and traps are fairly easy to avoid,” (Gatto, 38). He provides no other solution to the problem other than working within the current school system. Gatto also does not give thought to the socio-economic status of the mass population of America who would not be able to pay for private school or private at-home instruction. Public schools are the best way to provide a standard education to the masses. 

Many public schools in America are underfunded and overcrowded, making it impossible to provide a creative and innovative environment so often available at private institutions. Our country shouldn’t try to easily avoid the traps of the school system as Gatto suggests, but properly fund the public school system as a whole, raising the requirements for teachers, offering teachers more incentives to attract the brightest, expanding Choice programs, and encouraging students to think critically rather than only looking for that one answer. Much like the question of what to do about America’s Public schools, usually there isn’t just one solution to complex issues.