Reviews

Dumbing Us Down -25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling - 25th Anniversary Edition by John Taylor Gatto

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its_pam_ela's review against another edition

5.0

This is THE tome of unschoolers from what I can tell and with good reason. It's written by an award-winning NY schoolteacher that thinks compulsory education is...well, bullshit. If you were the kind of kid that snarled their way through high school wondering just why the authority figures there could treat you like disobedient dogs, or why you needed to waste years learning math you'd forget the minute the bell rang. If you think the public education system is irreparably broken and counter-intuitive to learning, READ THIS.

I also think every single school teacher on Earth should read this too. GREAT read and excellent for audio listening.

maeveybug's review against another edition

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hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

2.5

Makes a really good intro to the purpose of centralized public school education. He makes comparisons that made me uncomfortable as well. Some parts really hit on important motives and uses of education in the us as a system

fictionaluniverse's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective slow-paced

4.0

gothchickvibing's review

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challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

belwood303's review against another edition

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1.0

Everything I read about this book before reading it (including the forward and introduction to the 2nd edition, 2005) made me think I was going to be in agreement / have my mind blown / learn something. However, following the first disappointment that this guy is just another angry (possibly white, middle class) male with an obvious chip on his shoulder, it went downhill quickly. Which is saying a lot because the book (really just a collection of older essays) is only 100 pages. By the end I felt I had just had one of those arguments with my mother, where you both agree there's a problem but not on how to define it or on the solutions needed to address it. Also, this author was a teacher when I was a child, so I don't know how relevant his insights are now in the 21st century, nor do I agree with him on most of his key arguments about communities, families or networks.

kathhreads's review against another edition

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3.0

Definitely a very interesting book, with some very interesting and valid points of view and ideas.

I'm not American, and this book is about the american school system. Now, I've read a little about the state of schooling in the US, and definitely believe there should be reforms to the current system. Its too focused on numbers, grades (because society deems it to be necessary), and it could definitely use a more personal, mindful approach in educating children. For example, I think making community service a requirement in schooling is brilliant.

At the same time, this book spends a lot of time demonizing television, and glorifying family life. TV is not the big monster here. And family is incredibly important, but in this current day and age, both parents need to work to earn a living, and schools are important in providing a safe space away from abusive households.
Also, America a secular society? No, it isnt.

I love the idea of going back and finding theories and practices of centuries past and wanting to apply them now, but our world is ever-changing and its completely different from Colonial New England. Not to say we cant take inspiration, but expecting it to work now is a fool's gamble.

This might be the longest review I've ever written sorry

PS. lots of spelling errors, my computers space key doesnt work