In her responsive editorial "A Teacher's Essay on the Public Education System" (2007), Erin Falconer, Editor in Chief of Pick the Brain, is a supporter of teacher and public education critic John Taylor Gatto's views on public education, and she provides the readers of Pick the Brain with a sense of the monotony and disgrace of modern day education. In order to reveal the flaws of the system, this editor takes us through each of Gatto's criticisms of the confusion, division, indifference, inferiority and fear that public education instills in its students. The author uses direct examples and compelling opinions in order to affirm the issues of today's education to the reader and to encourage a more "free market system in public schooling" to promote creative thought and intellectual curiosity- something public schooling lacks today. Falconer emphasizes public education's restrictions on expression, natural learning and individual thought to her educated audience as she urges reform on today's education system to her active audience.
In this editorial written in response to John Gatto's critical essay, there is some discussion about how class ranks and grades take away from the learning environment in public schools. With so much influence coming from so many directions in the public school system, the entire value of education is lost. The author talks about how education should be like a free market where kids can take the classes they enjoy and have the right to think freely and creatively. I completely agree with this because I know, as a student, that this is the best way for me to learn and be successful. Much like Emerson, these authors felt that teachers should be guides to students and allow them to learn for themselves without the interference of strict curricula, testing standards and forced opinions. I really think education needs to put more emphasis on the greater good of its students and less on meeting financially-beneficial standards.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the author and with Cailene that education should be more like a "free market" where kids can strive in their own ways. Each child is different. Schools should encourage differences and student's unique interests. Instead of recognizing a school for its test scores and numbers, our nation should praise schools with a variety of skills including the arts, athletics and academics. A school should focus on teaching everyday skills and background knowledge that students will need as they get out in to the work force. I agree with Cailene that education needs to put more emphasis on the greater good. The obsession with getting the greatest numbers (even if it involves cutting corners on other aspects of education), has caused stress in students, teachers, parents and administrators. Instead of stressing over numbers and being the school with the highest test scores, schools should celebrate each child's differences and strengths to strengthen the school as a whole.
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