In his essay, John Taylor Gatto points out several valid criticisms of the public school system in the United States. Among his many points, he hints at the emphasis placed on standardized testing results. This focus\u00a0limits the lesson plans teachers are allowed to pursue. As a result, students are generally exposed to material that does not invite opportunities for critical thinking. Because I attended a public school which struggled with funding, I am familiar with many of the issues Gatto mentions. However, I do not believe public schools deserve the blunt of his blame.<\/p>\n
Public school curriculum does not develop in a vacuum. It reflects the values of the society that we live in today. Therefore, I do not think that public schools intentionally act to curb critical thinking. For better or worse, many of the jobs in our workforce do not require critical thinking. Instead, they demand discipline and training. To meet these demands, students generally have to obtain a college education. Ironically, most colleges demand a similar discipline in the form of grades and extra curricular activities. When viewed in this context, it seems that public schools are merely trying to prepare students for the world that awaits them after graduation.<\/p>\n
While I completely disagree with my public school’s curriculum, I don’t blame the school system itself for its development. Critical thinking isn’t useful in a meritocracy. Our public school system is just a symptom of a larger societal indifference towards thought.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In his essay, John Taylor Gatto points out several valid criticisms of the public school system in the United States. Among his many points, he hints at the emphasis placed on standardized testing results. This focus\u00a0limits the lesson plans teachers … Continue reading