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Dumbing Us Down 25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum Of Compulsory Schooling

Julio Cortázar

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25 Years of Education Decline and the Media's Role

In his book Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling, John Taylor Gatto argues that the American education system is not preparing students for the real world but instead "dumbing them down." Gatto, a former New York City teacher and winner of the New York State Teacher of the Year award, believes that compulsory schooling is a form of social control that teaches students to be obedient, passive, and uncritical.

Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling

by John Taylor Gatto

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1962 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	147 pages

Gatto's book was first published in 1992, and it has since become a classic work of educational criticism. In the 25 years since its publication, Gatto's arguments have only become more relevant. The American education system continues to decline, and the media plays a major role in this decline.

The media's role in dumbing down America

The media plays a major role in dumbing down America by promoting a culture of ignorance and anti-intellectualism. The media glorifies violence, celebrates stupidity, and promotes a narrow, consumerist view of the world. This culture of ignorance and anti-intellectualism makes it difficult for students to learn and succeed in school.

For example, the media's obsession with violence desensitizes children to violence and makes them more likely to engage in violent behavior. The media's celebration of stupidity makes it difficult for students to take learning seriously. And the media's promotion of a narrow, consumerist view of the world makes it difficult for students to develop a sense of social responsibility.

The media's negative impact on education is not limited to children. The media also plays a role in dumbing down adults. The media's constant barrage of misinformation and disinformation makes it difficult for adults to make informed decisions about their lives and the world around them. This makes it easier for politicians and other powerful interests to manipulate public opinion and control the direction of society.

What can be done?

There are a number of things that can be done to address the problem of dumbing down America. First, we need to change the way we think about education. We need to stop thinking of education as a way to prepare students for a specific job or career. Instead, we need to think of education as a way to help students develop the skills they need to be successful in life. These skills include critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and communication.

Second, we need to change the way we teach. We need to move away from a teacher-centered approach to a student-centered approach. This means giving students more choice in their learning and allowing them to learn at their own pace. We also need to make learning more engaging and relevant to students' lives.

Third, we need to change the way we assess student learning. We need to move away from standardized testing and towards more authentic assessment methods. This means assessing students on their ability to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world problems.

Fourth, we need to change the way we fund education. We need to invest more money in education and ensure that all students have access to a quality education.

Fifth, we need to change the way we use the media. We need to be more critical of the information we consume and we need to support media outlets that produce high-quality, informative content.

These are just a few of the things that can be done to address the problem of dumbing down America. It will not be easy, but it is essential if we want to create a more just and equitable society.

About the Author

John Taylor Gatto (born December 11, 1935) is an American author, speaker, and former public school teacher. He is best known for his book Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling, which has been translated into more than 30 languages and has sold more than 1 million copies worldwide.

Gatto was born in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, and attended public schools in that state. He earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Pittsburgh in 1957 and a master's degree in educational administration from Columbia University in 1962.

Gatto began his teaching career in 1963 at East Harlem Intermediate School in New York City. He taught English, social studies, and drama for 30 years, winning the New York State Teacher of the Year award in 1991.

In 1992, Gatto published Dumbing Us Down, which argues that the American education system is not preparing students for the real world but instead "dumbing them down." The book was a critical and commercial success, and it has since become a classic work of educational criticism.

Gatto has since written several other books, including The Underground History of American Education (2001),Weapons of Mass Instruction (2004),and The Joy of Failure (2008). He has also given numerous lectures and workshops on education reform.

Gatto is a controversial figure, but his ideas have sparked a much-needed debate about the purpose of education in the United States. He is a powerful advocate for educational reform, and his work has helped to raise awareness of the problems facing our schools.

Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling

by John Taylor Gatto

4.8 out of 5