I would love to write that Gatto’s perception of the public education system is the result of a small sample size and therefore inaccurate, but that would be wrong. To address the stated reasons for implementing mass schooling in the United States, the public education system does not produce good people, good citizens, or allow each person to be his or her best. Students are thrown into a situation where there is always a clear power structure, and are essentially obligated to create a place for themselves. If by “to make good citizens”, however, one means “force children to conform so they are easier to control”, then the public education system is, in fact, successful. Finally, children are either held back or pushed along at the classroom pace, which will almost always mean that one is not able to become his or her best.

While I agree with Grotto that the public education system does not achieve its stated goals whatsoever, I do believe that society needs a system like forced schooling to continue functioning. It is not a bad thing that we associate grades with knowledge gained, and the prestige of one’s school with success. Civilization requires structure; if everyone were simply educated on their own, there would be no common ground, and no basis for control. Williams is as different from Grotto’s description as an institution can be in real life; we are here by choice, and the college is structured to allow the individual to create their own learning path. But, while we did choose to be here, we are also at Williams for everything that comes with the degree.