Against Schools Essay -- Analysis, John Gatto

The Quality of a childs education often all limits or opens up a world of opportunities. Those who study the purpose of familiar education and the way it is distributed throughout society can often identify clear correlations between complaisant class and the type of education a scholar receives. It is generally known by society that wealthy families obtain the best opportunities money can buy. Education is a tool of intellectual and economical empowerment and since the quality of education is strongly influenced by social class, a smaller portion of the American population obtains the opportunities acquired from a top notch education. Many muckle believe that educational inequalities are perpetuated from the interests of specific classes, but some researchers like John Gatto believe that there are even stronger social forces in play. In the essay Against Schools the author John Gatto presents three arguments (1) that are educational system is flawed, (2) that the American educ ational system is purposely designed to create a monolithic working class that is easy to manipulate, and (3) alternative t severallying methods should be applied to teach children to think for themselves. In this essay I will be summarizing and relating each of these arguments to other educational essays. Also, I will be discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the authors argument.In John Gattos essay Against Schools he states from experience as a school teacher that are current educational system is at fault (148). He claims that classrooms are often filled with boredom manufactured by repetitive class work and unenthusiastic teachings. Students are not actively engaged and challenged by their work and more often than not they have either already covered t... ... people are more advantaged than others and will receive a top notch education, while others will receive a inferior education that will prepare them less for college and more for a working class job. There most likel y is a connection between social class and the educational opportunities presented to students, but it is also possible that other social forces are at play which determines the quality of a students education. In Gattos essay it was argued that are educational system is designed to perpetuate faults in order to create a manageable society. He supports his argument with confused strong statements which makes his logic convincing, but he falls short when backing the credibility of his claims. The strengths of his essay prove to also be its weakness, which results in a bandage of literature that only succeeds in arousing emotional reactions from readers.