Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 534 ratings
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Last update: 09-06-2024
Top reviews from the United States
V. K. Mueller5.0 out of 5 stars
What an awesome book!
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2012
My mom bought this book for me a couple years ago. I finally pulled it out of a box and remembered I had it! If only I had read it sooner! Then I would have known sooner that I'm NOT crazy! While it is true that Gatto spends some time speaking of His credentials and those of His colleagues, I believe that is one thing that helps give this book a better standing. He has seen it from inside the "zoo." I can also see how some of what He says may also apply to private schools as well as public. I grew up going to a private school and although it was not a bad school, it certainly had it's share of bullies and poor teachers. I remember ONE teacher that really made a POSITIVE difference to me. My first teacher was lousy. I can remember her lying to my parents about how well I was doing in math. I still struggle with math since I did not have a good foundation. Now, fast forward several years and I'm grown up. My husband and I have two children. I am on the school board of that same private school and my kids went to it for one year. Although it is much larger now. I believe the quality of the school and the teachers at this time are great. Although, the year that my kids were in it really frustrated me. My son was on the honor roll for much of that time. My daughter wanted to spend her time socializing INSTEAD of working. My sons teacher at the time stated that He was struggling with math and it was suggested that I put Him in a "special" math class this year. My son had been getting almost all A's! Don't get me wrong-I really love the people at the school and it is true they all have Masters degrees and credentials. I only have a GED and a few college credits. Many of their arguments to get me to keep the kids in- helped cement the plan to keep them out. Our kids don't need to be in school for 7 hours and another 2 hours doing homework. Now, I am homeschooling our children again. Our son and daughter are doing very well. They can get more work done at home in the morning then they did all day at school. WE get to pick and choose their curriculum AND extracurricular activities. We choose the hours they work best. Busy boy and girl can take bathroom breaks when they need to and low blood sugar isn't a problem with the kitchen close by. Both of our children socialize several times a week at their art, sewing and gymnastic classes and on the weekend they enjoy church and enjoy church socials. All of these keep them plenty busy. Math and English etc they do well in. Reading? They read books that many high schoolers have a hard time reading! We skipped preschool. It wasn't necessary. Many people have told me how they enjoy being around them-our kids have not suffered. They are excelling! So if anyone else out there chooses to homeschool and is concerned you can do it- YES YOU CAN! Schools are NOT necessary for a good education. Credentials or not, you can do it! Allow your children to have an education AND a childhood! Love this book!
A.S.5.0 out of 5 stars
Being well-schooled is not equivalent to being well-educated
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2005
This is important reading for everyone who has gone through compulsory schooling, most of all. And that means most of us.
Mr. Gatto has written a heartfelt, clear-headed book about the failings of compulsory schooling. Increasingly, what is learned in class is removed from the realities beyond its four walls. Children are tracked, graded, sorted, and rewarded or punished according to an arbitrary system that bears little resemblance to real life. School is increasingly a place where children are left to fend for themselves (the parents, having gone to school themselves, have come to accept this as "normal" and part of growing up, however unhealthy and damaging this may be), and where triumphs and successes happen _in spite_ of school, not because of it.
The author's main argument is that compulsory schooling seeks to suppress independent thought and usurp individual will and industry in order to produce compliant, "schooled" people conditioned to blindly accept the dictates of authority and to quietly assume their place in the artificial social and economic framework that is the unnatural end of the "track" in which they were placed in their early years at school. What makes this book particularly effective is that Mr. Gatto, having once been a celebrated school teacher, has plenty of personal experiences in this regard, that he obviously spent a lot of time thinking about this subject, and that he presents his ideas in unadorned prose that is direct, powerful and compelling. I highly recommend it.
Mr. Gatto has written a heartfelt, clear-headed book about the failings of compulsory schooling. Increasingly, what is learned in class is removed from the realities beyond its four walls. Children are tracked, graded, sorted, and rewarded or punished according to an arbitrary system that bears little resemblance to real life. School is increasingly a place where children are left to fend for themselves (the parents, having gone to school themselves, have come to accept this as "normal" and part of growing up, however unhealthy and damaging this may be), and where triumphs and successes happen _in spite_ of school, not because of it.
The author's main argument is that compulsory schooling seeks to suppress independent thought and usurp individual will and industry in order to produce compliant, "schooled" people conditioned to blindly accept the dictates of authority and to quietly assume their place in the artificial social and economic framework that is the unnatural end of the "track" in which they were placed in their early years at school. What makes this book particularly effective is that Mr. Gatto, having once been a celebrated school teacher, has plenty of personal experiences in this regard, that he obviously spent a lot of time thinking about this subject, and that he presents his ideas in unadorned prose that is direct, powerful and compelling. I highly recommend it.
Oliver5.0 out of 5 stars
A critical lense for a systimatic concern within eduation
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2013
Through a simple expedition through the statics of the modern would one may easily unearth the devastating truth that the American public schooling system is inherently failing when compared to other competing nations throughout the world. This simple fact may even be considered common knowledge throughout the populous of this nation, who tend to rally behind the ideology that such a system must be altered to amend this concern. In order to appease this rally, many have come to the belief that the solution to this concern is the expansion and a more frivolous devotion to the current system will yield the desired result. One of the greatest minds of the modern era claimed that insanity may be deemed the reputation of a past action with the ambition and desire for a differing result. Yet, as a nation we believe that this expansion of such a industry will inherently produce this desired result and conceder this notion to be the efforts of sane experts. This is where the true fruitfulness of thinkers, such as John Gatto through his book Dumbing Us Down, may be revered and studied.
Through his book John Gatto attempts to provide a glimpse into the world of education through the perspective lenses of a teacher frustrated with the system through which he receives his paycheck. A casual reader may take his words and find himself/herself appalled by the perceived bashing of the industry which they were raised and through which they subject their children. The way in which he tends to speak slanderously towards the function and operation to the modern family through concepts such as age segregation. Radical as these ideas may be they do provide a new view of the world of education and the mechanisms they employ in order to produce uniform individuals whose very existence servers only the purpose of employment to purchase goods inevitably to ensure the employment of individuals whom they may only, at best, be acquainted with.
Skepticism of these concepts are truly difficult to overcome as the common man may view satisfaction and content with the way in which his life has played out to date. He may look to his neighbor and consider him a friend, and view his coworkers and peers in a similarly friendly fashion. But through true and in-depth reflection that same man may realize that these connections are faint at best simply due to the fact that similar situations have occurred in his past and fallen to the way side as his years progressed. I too as a man have the ability to reflect on my short life to date, reviling the connections which I developed with people were overwhelmingly means to achieve a given end even in brotherhood and through bonding. This shocking revelation truly reviles the genius of Gatto in his theories and in his writings. The education system as it currently stands only produces cogs in the greater work force machine which dominates this nation. As Mr. Gatto (2005) states "People who admire our school institution usually admire networking in...they provide mechanical solutions to human problems" (48). This current schooling system is designed and operates with the desire to produce workers to satisfy the nations labor force.
As a teacher John Gatto (2005) claims, "I don't teach English; I teach school," (p. 1). This statement exemplifies the travesties which Mr. Gatto perceives as the concern with the current schooling system. That the duty of school is to mold obedient, thoughtless, and duty oriented members of the operating system that is the American work force. Through reading such concepts it is impossible to avoid the feeling of dismay which comes from the concept that one's life serves only the purpose of advancing a whole and not one's own existence. Here lies Gatto's primary concern with the education system, a concept which all should take the time to explore and consider. Is the schooling industry for the betterment of the individual in the classroom or the ease of which said individual may be implemented within the greater scheme of a organization of individuals?
The human existence should include the development of true connections with fellow humans as a means through which a personality and history is developed. This idea parallels the words and the workings of Mr. John Gatto, that education is not schooling as education develops a sense of community and permits individuals to succeeded and fail on their own accord. This luxury is not granted within the schooling system presently enacted throughout the American nation. Learning is within small networks of individuals whom only erect short periods of perceived friendships with the only goal of achieving quantifiable success. "The fragmentation caused by excessive networking creates diminished humanity, a sense that our lives are out of control," (Gatto, 2005, p.49)to explore these words is the primary justification for such a reading as John Gatto's Dumbing Us down. For in the current system these ideas and free though is burred in conformity and uniformity.
No solution to the education flaws within this nation, or any other educational facet, may be the be all to end all solution. Gatto presents a differing perspective through within one can view and assess the world of education and the required procedure to improve the education of youthful individuals. This book and its concepts and ideas should be explored by any and all who are associated with the education of children, which happens to be all members of the nation. For what cause should this be done? All children are the future of the nation and should be treated with the dignity and respect that one would hope for their own existence. The current mold should be fractured, learning is not at duty but the privilege of all of mankind.
Through his book John Gatto attempts to provide a glimpse into the world of education through the perspective lenses of a teacher frustrated with the system through which he receives his paycheck. A casual reader may take his words and find himself/herself appalled by the perceived bashing of the industry which they were raised and through which they subject their children. The way in which he tends to speak slanderously towards the function and operation to the modern family through concepts such as age segregation. Radical as these ideas may be they do provide a new view of the world of education and the mechanisms they employ in order to produce uniform individuals whose very existence servers only the purpose of employment to purchase goods inevitably to ensure the employment of individuals whom they may only, at best, be acquainted with.
Skepticism of these concepts are truly difficult to overcome as the common man may view satisfaction and content with the way in which his life has played out to date. He may look to his neighbor and consider him a friend, and view his coworkers and peers in a similarly friendly fashion. But through true and in-depth reflection that same man may realize that these connections are faint at best simply due to the fact that similar situations have occurred in his past and fallen to the way side as his years progressed. I too as a man have the ability to reflect on my short life to date, reviling the connections which I developed with people were overwhelmingly means to achieve a given end even in brotherhood and through bonding. This shocking revelation truly reviles the genius of Gatto in his theories and in his writings. The education system as it currently stands only produces cogs in the greater work force machine which dominates this nation. As Mr. Gatto (2005) states "People who admire our school institution usually admire networking in...they provide mechanical solutions to human problems" (48). This current schooling system is designed and operates with the desire to produce workers to satisfy the nations labor force.
As a teacher John Gatto (2005) claims, "I don't teach English; I teach school," (p. 1). This statement exemplifies the travesties which Mr. Gatto perceives as the concern with the current schooling system. That the duty of school is to mold obedient, thoughtless, and duty oriented members of the operating system that is the American work force. Through reading such concepts it is impossible to avoid the feeling of dismay which comes from the concept that one's life serves only the purpose of advancing a whole and not one's own existence. Here lies Gatto's primary concern with the education system, a concept which all should take the time to explore and consider. Is the schooling industry for the betterment of the individual in the classroom or the ease of which said individual may be implemented within the greater scheme of a organization of individuals?
The human existence should include the development of true connections with fellow humans as a means through which a personality and history is developed. This idea parallels the words and the workings of Mr. John Gatto, that education is not schooling as education develops a sense of community and permits individuals to succeeded and fail on their own accord. This luxury is not granted within the schooling system presently enacted throughout the American nation. Learning is within small networks of individuals whom only erect short periods of perceived friendships with the only goal of achieving quantifiable success. "The fragmentation caused by excessive networking creates diminished humanity, a sense that our lives are out of control," (Gatto, 2005, p.49)to explore these words is the primary justification for such a reading as John Gatto's Dumbing Us down. For in the current system these ideas and free though is burred in conformity and uniformity.
No solution to the education flaws within this nation, or any other educational facet, may be the be all to end all solution. Gatto presents a differing perspective through within one can view and assess the world of education and the required procedure to improve the education of youthful individuals. This book and its concepts and ideas should be explored by any and all who are associated with the education of children, which happens to be all members of the nation. For what cause should this be done? All children are the future of the nation and should be treated with the dignity and respect that one would hope for their own existence. The current mold should be fractured, learning is not at duty but the privilege of all of mankind.