john-taylor-gatto-weapons-of-mass-instruction
john-taylor-gatto-weapons-of-mass-instruction
john-taylor-gatto-weapons-of-mass-instruction
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
WEAPONS OF MASS INSTRUCTION<br />
Shouldn't motorists have to mount illuminated signs indicating<br />
the grade <strong>of</strong> driver they are You couldn't argue against such an initiative<br />
on reasonable grounds given the low opinion <strong>of</strong> humanity reflected<br />
in our politics, our media, and our pedagogy. It makes sense,<br />
yet the idea is utterly ridiculous. We expect one another, whatever our<br />
grades or test scores, to use good judgement in driving and for the<br />
most part, we aren't disappointed.<br />
Grades and test scores are a terrible measure <strong>of</strong> quality. The sooner<br />
we recognize that in planning, the sooner we'll reach better ways to<br />
help our young. After teaching for 30 years, and winning awards doing<br />
it, I can say flatly what everyone knows in their gut - the best<br />
readers, the best writers, the best mathematicians, the best scientists<br />
are almost never people who got the best grades. You all sought the<br />
position <strong>of</strong> leader, Senators, and I'm asking you to face the implications<br />
<strong>of</strong> that squarely - find the courage to flaunt the financial interests<br />
which use schooling as a cash cow.<br />
If you can't do that, all the Senate committees in the world won't<br />
give American students a better deal in school.<br />
A Free Verse for Kristina<br />
Whatever education is<br />
it should make a girl unique<br />
not a servant<br />
It should give her courage<br />
to tackle the big challenges, to find principles which<br />
will serve as a guide on the road ahead,<br />
Make her strong in the<br />
presence <strong>of</strong> evil,<br />
Let her love her fate whatever it is,<br />
above everything, it should lead her to discover<br />
what really matters:<br />
How to live and how to die.<br />
- John Taylor Gatto