Part of my travel reading is a book by John Taylor Gatto entitled Dumbing Us Down. Gatto thrashes what passes for education in this country, calling it more of an exercise in social control than actual learning. He knows a bit about teaching, having been chosen New York State Teacher of the Year.
Being a parent, I’m deeply concerned with the choices available for my childrens’ education. Everyone wants the best for their kids. Gatto’s book offers a fresh look at this important topic, and provides a vision of what it could be. Even if you don’t go along with all of his suggestions, he offers stimulating ideas.
Above all, he is right on in the importance he places on our country’s educational process. We absolutely should be debating how we go about the process of teaching. Our future quite literally depends on it.