As the daughter of a public school teacher and as a graduate of a relatively test-score-focused public school system, I found Gatto’s arguments very compelling. I felt bored in my public school classes which followed set curricula and did not allow for individual curiosity. Upon reflection, however, I feel that Gatto is leaving out a key factor in his arguments, namely income inequality and local funding of public schools. Mass production is an inherently cost-effective method of schooling, as Gatto implies with his reference to schools with 2000-4000 students. School budgets are often the first to be affected by financial constraints, because very few people are willing to recognize that as the price of everything else goes up, good education will also cost more. Many public schools have to increase class sizes to make up for rising costs in other areas, like special education mandates and health care costs. In large classes, the teacher’s most important role may become management of 35+ students rather than inspiring children to love learning. In wealthy enclaves, some of these problems are ameliorated by parents who not only know the value of good education but also can afford to support innovative and high quality schools. These towns tend to pass higher school budgets that allow for smaller class sizes, new technology, enrichment programs and specialized courses.
Overall I believe that Gatto’s essay has had an important impact on how we see American public education and many teachers want to improve their students’ independence and engagement with subject matter. Until we give them the resources to do so, only wealthy districts will have the flexibility to meet the needs of individual students and create well-educated adults.
I’ve got to like this—it’s that good. Hope I can conquer the Latest 72301X practice questions free exam. Wish me luck!
Thank you for your article; it really opened my eyes. I’m offering the D-DS-FN-23 latest study questions download test for free today, as it helped me earn a promotion and raise!
Thank you for sharing your article, it’s truly amazing! I got a promotion and raise through the C-ABAPD-2309 new practice materials. Now it’s free for everyone. Wishing you all career success and promotions!
The article was a real eye-opener to me. The Test SAFe-APM simulator fee questions were instrumental in my promotion and raise, and I’m sharing them with you today at no cost!
I feel much more knowledgeable after reading it. Improve your IT abilities and access free Latest 100-490 study guide book. Best of luck with your exams!
This is an exceptional piece of writing, thank you for sharing. Boost your IT knowledge with free D-PDM-DY-23 instant discount resources. Good luck!
Are you finding ways to get success in the IT field? Here is the best way to get success in MS-900 Questions and Answers to achieve success in the IT profession. You just need to put a lot of efforts and time to get the Microsoft 365 exam cleared. If there is no proper planning or strategy, then we may not work on anything. The first thing that comes in one’s mind is to have a proper Microsoft MS-900 exam questions resource which can instead of confusion can help to get success in MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam.
I think your criticisms of the public school system vis-a-vis income inequality are valid and do require the attention of policymakers. However, Gatto seems to make a broader critique about the educational system, namely that it serves as an ideological state apparatus which perpetuates the interests of the elite class. So while I totally agree with you that certain impoverished school districts are underfunded, the larger point that Gatto tries to make is that the fact that the educational system produces conformist followers rather than thinkers and leaders is by design, in essence, a social critique rather than of the minutiae of the implementation of education in America.
I think you point out a crucial element that Gatto almost completely ignores. Many school districts struggle financially while others districts have more money than they can spend. For example, my school did not always have functioning heat while our neighboring school claims the “Millionaires” as their team mascot name. Inequality in the public school system is a major issue and needs to be addressed if we take equal opportunity seriously.