Rethinking the American School

    In Khan's book, The One World Schoolhouse, they illustrate the origins of the modern day school. I was surprised to learn how little had changed in the past 200 years. The construct is still largely the same, even though the world, and therefore the need for the modern structure has change so much. What we're doing now just simply doesn't work for many students. School, as is stands today, is not made for every learner. Dare I say it's not made for the majority of learners, but a few. We have adapted to this by accommodating those who do learn so differently that they would not be successful otherwise. We use tools such as IEPs and 504s to try to even the playing field. But even that is so very recent, just the past couple of decades. 

   

 

   I appreciated the way Khan explains that Fichte's motive was clear, "If you want to influence a person, you must do more than merely talk to him; you must fashion him and fashion him in such a way that he simply cannot will otherwise than what you wish him to will." (pg76) He was successful in designing a system that allows for unchecked indoctrination. That is really powerful. 

    This cookie-cutter design worked perfectly. Not only did it have the advantage of controlling what was taught and ingrained, it taught overall compliance on a large scale. Mandating that young people are all learning the same thing, at the same time within the same parameters really worked. Additionally, according to John Taylor Gatto, having timed intervals or "subjects" ensured that "self motivation to learn would be muted by ceaseless interruptions."(pg77) 

    This all sounds pretty sinister but by the time the Prussian system was put into practice in the US, it seems to lose some of those threatening undertones. Khan goes on to explain that Horace Mann, who is credited with popularizing the current academic system, was in fact a forward-thinker. A tax funded school for all to attend was quite revolutionary. It did do a lot of good. It allowed for students of all socioeconomic backgrounds to obtain a free education. Prior to this, only the wealthy were educated and it was by paid tutors or universities.  This is a good thing! But we are evolving as a country, as a species and as mankind, shouldn't our eduction system evolve too? Like Khan says, "It is time - past time - for education to evolve again."

     The progressive "Committee of Ten" did believe that "every student should get a fair chance to see if he had an interest in and capacity for intellectual work." (pg79) Which of course, sounds ideal. However, the problem is, who gets to decide who the right candidates are and how that is nurtured? The "Committee" argues that being curious and left to discover breeds curiosity and a yearning to further the learning. We have gotten away from that today. 

    Of course, there are alternative methods of learning. Montessori, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia schools come to mind. They all take different approaches than what we are accustomed to when we think of "school".  However, even though their core philosophies may differ, they do still follow the same model of 5 days a week, customary seasonal breaks and different subjects taught. Probably the biggest drawback to those seeking an alternate education experience is that they are expensive. In addition to cost, parents are not always willing to eschew the status quo and experiment with their children's education and therefor, future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95cm35aPOyk