A Different Kind of Teacher: Solving the Crisis of American Schooling

Rating:
Summary: A Unique Voice on Education
Review: Amid the clutter of noise that surrounds American educational issues these days, John Taylor Gatto's voice comes through with clarity and depth in this set of collected essays.

Gatto is that rarest of birds - an original thinker with a knack for framing an argument in a way that is powerfully engaging. His words really do make you think about why schools are the way they are. While the title of this book may suggest that in its pages will be found a description of some sort of set of teaching ideals, in fact this is a much bigger - and far more radical - piece of work. The whole idea of compulsory education, Gatto argues, is terribly flawed right down to its roots. Schooling - not education, but schooling - has become an "insane" experiment in social engineering that we have inherited by way of John Dewey, Andrew Carnegie, and the Prussians.

It seems a little far-fetched at first blush, but Gatto's almost thirty years of teaching in New York City Public Schools, as well as his fresh and rounded view of history bring an authenticity to his analysis that is hard to dismiss. Occasionally Gatto does stretch things a bit in order to make a point. For example, when he argues that scientists are not "made" in schools, and that most science teaching in schools adds essentially not a heck of a lot to kids' abilities to actually do experiments - certainly an important and reasonable enough claim - he cites Robert Scott Root-Bernstein's book "Discovering" to back his assertion that "not one major scientific discovery of this century, including exotica like superconductivity, came from an academic laboratory, or a corporate or government laboratory, or a school laboratory."

Well, that's a lot of hooey. Penicillin, insulin, and the atomic bomb all came out of labs like that. Nevertheless, he is on target about scientists not having learned their crafts during their schooling, and about the irrelevance of too much science teaching.

Gatto's bleak portrayal of the day-to-day goings-on inside of public school buildings rings with truth, but it is his thinking on why the situation has evolved to crisis proportions that gives this book a strong and resonant voice.

Rating:
Summary: a joyful journey
Review: For those who cling to the idea that our public school system can be "fixed," this book may be a path to intellectual enlightenment. What Mr. Gatto so effectively describes is the kind of paradigm building our public school industry excels at and calls an education. It has become so successful at achieving its goal of "preparing our young people for the adult world" that they become the unwitting (read: unthinking) parents for succeeding generations of public school mentality consumers.

The book wasn't written to condemn or indict teachers and administrators who work within the system; it was written to expose the problems which perpetuate an institution that, by any meaningful measure, fails so miserably to prepare children for the wonderful challenges and opportunities to be found in life after adolescence.

One theme that Gatto convincingly explores is the damage inflicted on the human psyche through the many years of compulsory schooling. For the reader to reflect on how this instills a conditioning of the mind, not to think but to simply learn and accept what it's told, is a solid beginning for understanding how the vast majority of people in this country continue to so willingly accept the idea of public schools as a good thing.

The simple fact is we can do much, much better in providing education for our children. In helping us all to better understand why public schooling "is broke," Gatto's contribution is a gem. (The five stars I gave it are not enough.) It's a wonderful read for everyone, whether pro or con on public schools, for the simple reason that it makes you think.

Rating:
Summary: John T. Gatto - Unique and Provocative
Review: In this emotional and thought-provoking collection of speeches and essays, John Taylor Gatto fearlessly takes on the American public education system. An award-winning ex-teacher with 30 years of service, Gatto has had plenty of experience to back up his belief that compulsory public schooling does little or nothing to help students become critical thinkers, responsible community members or confident and generous individuals. Gatto effectively argues that public schooling has damaged the family and individual/community spirituality. He reveals how the modern system of schooling was constructed in a way that would create a mass of obedient citizens. The creation of "planned society" required the subordination of family and spiritual needs to the needs of the state. Gatto speaks of an earlier time when people became literate and well educated without formal schooling. But he pays little attention to the plight of poor and oppressed people in this country who may never have had access to any kind of social mobility without the creation of a public education system. While Gatto makes numerous references to the historical basis for the current system, it would be helpful to have specific citations so that the reader could check out his information. I feel that this is one of the main weaknesses in his book.

Gatto thinks that students should spend much of their learning time on independent study, community service and class projects in the community. We need a curriculum for the common good. While I, along with other teachers, agree with many of Gatto's ideas, his call for using our taxes (and other sources of funding) to establish a wide variety of private alternative schools risks violating the Constitution and could result in few people getting any quality formal education. In spite of my differences with the author, I think this book is well worth reading because it inspires the reader to think beyond the boundaries of normal discourse on this subject. Gatto is an excellent writer who will keep you riveted from cover to cover. It is hard to put this book down.

Rating:
Summary: John T. Gatto - Unique and Provocative
Review: In this emotional and thought-provoking collection of speeches and essays, John Taylor Gatto fearlessly takes on the American public education system. An award-winning ex-teacher with 30 years of service, Gatto has had plenty of experience to back up his belief that compulsory public schooling does little or nothing to help students become critical thinkers, responsible community members or confident and generous individuals. Gatto effectively argues that public schooling has damaged the family and individual/community spirituality. He reveals how the modern system of schooling was constructed in a way that would create a mass of obedient citizens. The creation of "planned society" required the subordination of family and spiritual needs to the needs of the state. Gatto speaks of an earlier time when people became literate and well educated without formal schooling. But he pays little attention to the plight of poor and oppressed people in this country who may never have had access to any kind of social mobility without the creation of a public education system. While Gatto makes numerous references to the historical basis for the current system, it would be helpful to have specific citations so that the reader could check out his information. I feel that this is one of the main weaknesses in his book.

Gatto thinks that students should spend much of their learning time on independent study, community service and class projects in the community. We need a curriculum for the common good. While I, along with other teachers, agree with many of Gatto's ideas, his call for using our taxes (and other sources of funding) to establish a wide variety of private alternative schools risks violating the Constitution and could result in few people getting any quality formal education. In spite of my differences with the author, I think this book is well worth reading because it inspires the reader to think beyond the boundaries of normal discourse on this subject. Gatto is an excellent writer who will keep you riveted from cover to cover. It is hard to put this book down.

Rating:
Summary: Mind Altering--Exactly what's wrong with public education
Review: John Taylor Gatto is a man that every public school superintendent would fear (and hopefully listen to attentively). He has 30 years experience teaching in the best and worst schools in New York City. Gatto succinctly describes the history of public education in the United States and the motives of the "powers-that-were" to create public education (hint: they weren't out of social benevolence!). I read Gatto's "Dumbing Us Down" first, before I read this, and I was so enrapt with his writings and message that I ran out and bought this book and read it two days after finishing Dumbing Us Down. I keep these books close by and have recommended them to a number of teachers I work with (yes, I am a 10 year public school teacher). Here are a few of the jewels I picked up from Gatto and I think you might be interested in reading and knowing: First, he points out that from every town/ city's educational budget, only about 25 % of it actually goes toward purchasing student supplies. The other 75 % is mostly administrative costs. He claims our education system "schools" students, it shows them how to pass tests that we prepare them for, but it doesn't educate them. OK, if you're a college graduate what talents and skills do you have? Can you grow food? build your own house? This is what Gatto means is the difference between "schooling" students and "educating" them. (He mentions the conference where he was speaking and a 25 y/o man said he had 2 college degrees and was very well "educated" by American standards but didn't know how to fix a broken fan belt on his car.i.e.--too much useless information in curriculums, but no practical knowledge or trade work taught to kids that would be useful to them in the world they will graduate into.) Gatto points out the number of millionaires who graduated from college is remarakably low, compared to dropouts and those who don't attend college--if we want to consider one's earnings as a measure of the educated person. Are you aware that as a nation, our literacy rate has dropped since the advent of public education? Gatto describes the old ways of schooling where kids went out into the community and apprenticed in a craft or field that they liked and that they felt a great interest or a passion for and also performed community service for others; where they were connected and well-adjusted to working with older people and the very young. This gave them a sense of appreciation and respect for working with those from the different age groups in society and made them connected and feel that they were really participating memebers of society. This gave them responsibility, duty, as well as well-earned pride and the "self-esteem" that young people need today. Gatto has a well-researched repertoire of arguments against the state-run public education system (the big business of school or also the "school ring" as he calls it) that are logical, well-researched and easy to follow. He's not an angry, "blame it on them" writer, or a "know it all", he's a true scholar with abundant intellectual curiosity as witnessed by the depth of research he made to make his points in his books. He's a man that seeks change and solution to the myriad of problems in public education. If you're a teacher or if you're interested in education as a parent or as a school board member or that fact just curious about public education, read this book. It's a quick read and very well worth it. It may change the way you view school and education.

Rating:
Summary: Mind Altering--Exactly what's wrong with public education
Review: This as an honest, clear, dark, and helpful book about school.

It is, I think even more importantly, an enlightened account of how life can be- filled with love, kindness, discovery, and community. Mr. Gatto is a man who is well worth reading because he is a gentle soul and will inspire you to reawaken the gentle side of youself.

Rating:
Summary: A veteran teacher thinks deeply about the student's mind
Review: This book is one of the most fascinating reads I have had in a long time. This is, at least in the contemporary, new thinking. Gatto must have cared deeply about his students (their minds and hearts) to have thought so deeply (and then to follow up with research) about how the school system affects their natural curiosity and industry.

I particularly found interesting the comparison of real work with paper work. The idea that important (i.e., real) projects should be pursued in contrast to the model/abstract (i.e., illusion) projects. The concept here is that people (especially young, unadulterated children) thrive educationally on touching the real, important things in their lives. The children grow in character, ability and knowledge where they actually accomplish something of value in the real world. Compulsory school cannot accommodate an individual's curiosity and need to accomplish that which is real life. School can only teach in a classroom full of desks and books, where one is forced to learn what the school has deemed good (regardless of the individual's curiosity, aptitude and learning style). Thus, school can really only teach with paper and concepts. School, ironically, is not the real world and yet, it's the place most of us have chosen as a great starting place for our children. The irony is loudly ringing in my ears.

Rating:
Summary: School is a prison- set your children free!!! A MUST read!
Review: This is a scathing expose of the truth about traditional schooling: It is a churning prison that steals the years, passions, ambitions and hours away from children. We live in a democracy, yet our children are locked up in totalitarian prisons for 13 years with adults controlling their every move, even depriving them of basic human needs such as the right to use the toilet! Every aspect of tradititional schooling runs contrary to children's learning, emotional, social, physiological and developmental needs- at all ages. Yet, children who cannot conform to the the confining, oppressive atmospheres are labled as "disabled" and are referred to be managed chemically. Many parents, bowing to the iconic school as if a God, comply with the school's demands and opinions of their children, allow their children's lives to be imposed upon with homework, punishments, detentions and rigid school rules and schedules. As a seasoned educator, John Taylor Gatto tells it like it is for the millions of apathetic children trapped in the decaying, outmoded institution known as traditional schooling. John Taylor Gatto candy-coats nothing as he challenges the system and demands that today's approach to education be revolutionized to reflect modern society, and the neglected educational needs of children. Before you become convinced that your school-hating, homework-boycotting child is "learning disabled", read this book and anything else by Gatto that you can get your hands on!!

Rating:
Summary: Hidden Musings of an Anarchist
Review: WHAT THIS BOOK IS
This is a 30-year veteran teacher's insights into how the American schooling system functions, and how in many ways it badly fails to provide an education. A number of interesting ideas and illustrations for arriving at meaningful educational goals and an effective education system are provided. Envisioning new goals and contemplating fresh ideals is a necessary initial step in working towards reform, and this book does a great job at this.

WEAK POINTS
1) The factual assertions made are personal opinion (and at times are questionable and arguable) rather than thoroughly researched and referenced.
2) This publication is more of a collection of speeches and essays than a `book', and so at times is repetitive and poorly organized. Also, a good portion of the book discusses America's social culture and business ethics, opinions that are especially debatable and at times seemed off-topic.
3) The second part of the book's title "Solving the Crisis of American Schooling" is not appropriate. I only found descriptions for a more ideal educational system; I did not find actionable ideas for making the transition from the current school system to the educational vision described in this book (which is certainly is a challenge).

OVERALL
This book does a great job enabling the reader to think critically about the current American schooling system and to develop creative insights for a different set of educational goals. I would like to see a thoroughly referenced study focused on America's educational issues (similar to what "The Skeptical Environmentalist" was for the environmental debate) with ideas for how to make a transition from the current system.