I understand your point. But if someone argued that there are some “good” communist systems, or some “good” dictators, I suspect you’d take objection to such claims.
See, the “good” is often superficial, while the real damage is deep and insidiously hidden.
- Kid graduates high school knowing how to read? Must be a “good” school.
- Kid doesn’t get shot or stabbed or hooked on dope? “Good” school.
- Kid graduates with honors and a scholarship to a notable university? “Good” school.
Nevermind what “schooling” did to the young man or woman. The above are the criteria we’ve been handed, so they’re the ones we use to determine whether the amputation..err..school experience was a “good” one.
Some things do such destruction to the person, such crippling damage, that we’ll settle for the satisfaction of a shallow but pleasant veneer. Good job, nice house, comfortable car... What do we care that our children were contorted and constrained and disfigured into grotesque semblances of life - LIFE as in Solomon’s and Aristotle’s “telos”.
Like harpies, we rob them and let them be robbed of all the true good that childhood lays before them as a smorgasborg. Like Oriental women who cram their feet into tiny shoes to make them small and dainty, we cram our children into pre-defined courses of life. And if they ever escape the cave, they’ll curse us. But I digress. :-)
At one time I agreed with you 100%, and argued the same points you make. Thanks to a FReeper whose “about” page I came across a few years ago (which had a couple links to Gatto’s writings) - and a few other resources besides - I’m now aware of what our public schools do and why they do it. Much makes sense now which didn’t before. (Such as why Ritalin is such a goldmine, for instance.)
You're comparing apples and oranges.
Nevermind what “schooling” did to the young man or woman. The above are the criteria we’ve been handed, so they’re the ones we use to determine whether the amputation..err..school experience was a “good” one.
What criteria would you use? I'm looking for a school that is safe, gives a good education and prepares my kids for college. What are you looking for?
Public Education is a service. We pay for it through tax dollars. It's like road-building or police, not some philosophical construct discussed in a Greek philosopher's academy.