[Clintonfatigued]

Please read this article in its entirety. Of all of John Taylor Gatto's writings, this ranks among his best. I've never seen an article which states the personal destruction wrought upon kids by public education.

[metmom]

Thanks for the ping. I'll read it tomorrow when I'm more coherent.

[Quix]

Thanks. An abundance of good points, imho.

[demnomo]

Gatto's "Dumbing Us Down" finally convinced my husband that homeschooling was the answer to our son's education and safety. There were other reasons, but that book cemeted our decision. Critical thinking skills aren't taught in public (and most private) schools. The educators are far too busy with crowd control tactics and getting their students ready for the latest round of state mandated tests.

My son is in his second year at UCSD, studing computer science. While my son has a few issues with the way the university runs things, he is able to handle "indoctrination" tactics from some of the more far out professors better than most students his age or older.

John Taylor Gatto is an amazing author. His creative solutions must scare the elitist swine that want to control our children. Great stuff.

[NewRomeTacitus]

Heh heh...I attended kindergarten for two weeks before ditching it to explore the woods. The folks couldn't understand that I got everything they had to offer in ten days of finger-painting, baby talk condescension, enforced naps on mats, ridiculous concepts and enforced socialization. Hey, I was already reading encyclopedias because of so much downtime with pneumonia. I fell into line when they explained that it was the law - but I always resented grade school for wasting my valuable childhood time.

Home schooling consistently turns out better educated and more stable citizens than the sad institutions of mediocrity passing as public schools. They've become far worse since my time by replacing basic curriculum with theoretical "esteem-building", expulsion with social promotion and corporal punishment with forced medication.

And people wonder where these Eric Harris's and Dylon Kliebolds are coming from.

[jwh_Denver]

Great eye opening read. In any of his books does he say how the best way to "educate" kids is?

[Republicanprofessor]

Education ping.

Let McVey, JamesP81, or me know if you want on or off this education ping list.