Episode 71: Dumbing Us Down - Part 5 - Chapter 4

We need less school, not more...a chapter titled perfectly by John Taylor Gatto. School is a synthetic community; it's merely a network that drains vitality from families and real communities. In this episode, we talk honestly about what the institutionalized school really is...according to an experienced and highly regarded school teacher. Brace yourself, this book club discussion is not for the faint of heart. In our Coop Q & A, we answer the question: "How can I get my child more interested in history?"

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Show Notes

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Scoop on the Coop:

Mandi’s daughter started a new sport, and Jessica’s daughter is showing growth and maturity as she just turned 10. It’s a huge gift when, as parents, we get to see the fruit of our labors and God’s work in our children!

Chapter 4: We Need Less School, Not More

The chapter’s intro quote reminds us that what we are building now is our future. In The Sleeper Awakes by H.G. Wells, Gatto quotes “‘We were making the future,’ and hardly any of us troubled to think what future we were making. And here it is!” And we have institutionalized school because of it.

First we discuss the main ideas of the chapter:

Schools take away the most beneficial and life giving components of society: family and community
Schools are merely networks
Gatto defines communities and networks
Perhaps if schools could operate more like communities, they may find more success

Takeaways:

We list and discuss a number of Gatto’s points about networks and communities and where the institution of school fits into these categories. His words are provocative and he makes a number of compelling arguments.

1) Schools are networks NOT communities

2) Schools actively work against families & community

3) Education should make unique individuals of us, not conformists

Gatto’s Parting Words

Gatto quotes Robert Frost, “Good fences make good neighbors.” He argues that we should first focus on learning to live apart as individuals and as families. Then, we can learn to live together in community. We can’t take shortcuts to unity or community, especially in institutions like schooling. “We need less school, not more.”

Coop Q & A

Question: How can I get my child more interested in history?

Answer: We discuss this in length, with ideas for demonstrating relevance, seeing history in historical places, confirming your child’s development allows for understanding, and finding content to suit YOUR child.

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