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{{morerefs|date=October 2021}}
{{short description|Non-fiction book by John Taylor Gatto}}
{{Infobox book
{{Infobox book
| name = Dumbing Us Down
| name = Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling
| title_orig =
| title_orig =
| translator =
| translator =
| image = DumbingUsDown Gatto.jpg
| image = DumbingUsDown Gatto.jpg
| image_size = 210px
| image_size = 210px
| caption = Cover of the 2002 edition
| caption = First edition
| author = [[John Taylor Gatto]]
| author = [[John Taylor Gatto]]
| illustrator =
| illustrator =
| cover_artist = [[Diane McIntosh]]
| cover_artist = Diane McIntosh
| country =
| country =
| language = English
| language = English
| series =
| series =
| subject = Education & Teaching, Current Affairs
| subject = Education & Teaching, Current Affairs
| genre =
| genre = [[Non-fiction]]
| publisher = [[New Society Publishers]]
| publisher = [[New Society Publishers]]
| pub_date = 1992
| pub_date = 1992
| english_pub_date =
| english_pub_date =
| media_type = ([[paperback]] and [[hardcover]])
| media_type = [[Paperback]] and [[hardcover]]
| pages = 106 (paperback and hardcover)
| pages = 106 (paperback and hardcover)
| isbn = 0-86571-448-7
| isbn = 0-86571-448-7
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| preceded_by =
| preceded_by =
| followed_by =
| followed_by =
| external_url = https://archive.org/download/DumbingUsDown-TheHiddenAgendaOfCompulsoryEducation/JohnTaylorGatto-dumbingUsDown_TheHiddenCurriculumOfCompulsorySchooling2002.pdf
| external_host = [[Internet Archive]]
}}
}}
'''''Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling''''' ({{ISBN|086571231X}}) is a book by teacher [[John Taylor Gatto]]. It has sold over 200,000 copies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://belindamoore.com/the-philosophy-of-education/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815075546/http://belindamoore.com/the-philosophy-of-education/|dead-url=yes|archive-date=2007-08-15|title=The Philosophy of Education|work=Belinda Moore}}</ref> and consists of a multitude of speeches given by the author. The book proposes that radical change is needed to the American educational system to turn around the negative socialization that children receive.
'''''Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling''''' ({{ISBN|086571231X}}) is a non-fiction book written by American teacher and political [[communitarianism|communitarian]] [[John Taylor Gatto]]. It has sold over 200,000 copies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://belindamoore.com/the-philosophy-of-education/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815075546/http://belindamoore.com/the-philosophy-of-education/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-08-15|title=The Philosophy of Education|work=Belinda Moore}}</ref> and consists of a multitude of speeches given by the author. The book proposes that radical change is needed to the American educational system to turn around the negative [[socialization]] that children receive.


==Main thesis==
==Main thesis==
Gatto asserts the following regarding what school does to children in ''Dumbing Us Down'':
Gatto asserts the following regarding what school does to children in ''[[dumbing down|Dumbing Us Down]]'':


# It confuses the students. It presents an incoherent ensemble of information that the child needs to memorize to stay in school. Apart from the tests and trials, this programming is similar to the television; it fills almost all the "free" time of children. One sees and hears something, only to forget it again.
# It confuses the students. It presents an incoherent ensemble of information that the child needs to memorize to stay in school. Apart from the tests and trials, this programming is similar to the television; it fills almost all the "free" time of children. One sees and hears something, only to forget it again.
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# It makes them emotionally dependent.
# It makes them emotionally dependent.
# It makes them intellectually dependent.
# It makes them intellectually dependent.
# It teaches them a kind of self-confidence that requires constant confirmation by experts (provisional self-esteem).
# It teaches them a kind of [[self-confidence]] that requires constant confirmation by experts (provisional self-esteem).
# It makes it clear to them that they cannot hide, because they are always supervised.<ref>See John Taylor Gatto, Dumbing Us Down''. The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling'', Iceland Gabriola: New Society Publishers, 2005, p. 2–11</ref>
# It makes it clear to them that they cannot hide, because they are always supervised.<ref>See John Taylor Gatto, Dumbing Us Down''. The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling'', Iceland Gabriola: New Society Publishers, 2005, p. 2–11</ref>


Gatto's thesis contained neither sources nor evidence to support these claims. [[Wade A. Carpenter]], associate professor of education at [[Berry College]], described the work as "one-sided, angry and hyperbolic, [but] not inaccurate"<ref>{{cite journal |author=Wade A. Carpenter |year=2007 |title=For Those We Won't Reach: An Alternative |url=http://www.pilambda.org/styles/pilambda/defiles/v85-3.pdf?phpMyAdmin=7ef832b5771aeb8f8ed4cd00c2e37023&phpMyAdmin=-zoWw3mdi0AafcwcegVd7BGSXS5 |url-status=dead |journal=Educational Horizons |volume=85 |issue=3 |page=153n8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722191020/http://www.pilambda.org/styles/pilambda/defiles/v85-3.pdf?phpMyAdmin=7ef832b5771aeb8f8ed4cd00c2e37023&phpMyAdmin=-zoWw3mdi0AafcwcegVd7BGSXS5 |archive-date=July 22, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Wade A. Carpenter |title=Behind Every Silver Lining: The Other Side of No Child Left Behind |url=http://www.pilambda.org/styles/pilambda/defiles/v85-1.pdf?phpMyAdmin=7ef832b5771aeb8f8ed4cd00c2e37023&phpMyAdmin=-zoWw3mdi0AafcwcegVd7BGSXS5 |url-status=dead |journal=Educational Horizons |volume=85 |issue=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821051340/http://www.pilambda.org/styles/pilambda/defiles/v85-1.pdf?phpMyAdmin=7ef832b5771aeb8f8ed4cd00c2e37023&phpMyAdmin=-zoWw3mdi0AafcwcegVd7BGSXS5 |archive-date=August 21, 2011}}</ref>
⚫
He also draws a contrast between communities and “networks,” with the former being healthy, and schools being examples of the latter. He says networks have become an unhealthy substitute for community in the United States.<ref>John Taylor Gatto, "Why Schools Don't Educate", The Natural Child Project https://www.naturalchild.org/guest/john_gatto.html</ref>

An article published online by the [[Foundation for Economic Education]] described John Taylor Gatto as having mentored "millions of people in writing their own scripts". In his book, ''Dumbing us Down'', John Gatto urged parents to control the education of their children. He made a critical analysis of state education and described the system as comprehensive, informal, historical, and philosophical. John wrote several profound lectures which disclosed a significant conclusion which encouraged splitting institutional schools and removing certification from teaching. His belief was privatization of education along with a free market system was the most viable option.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://fee.org/articles/john-taylor-gatto-taught-millions-to-write-their-own-scripts/|title=John Taylor Gatto Taught Millions to Write Their Own Scripts {{!}} C. Edward Kelso|date=2017-03-02|access-date=2018-05-24|language=en-US}}</ref> Gatto's book serves as inspiration for education advocates and the inception of [[Praxis test]]s. This testing measured academic competence and knowledge of specific subjects required for teaching. Praxis tests are taken by potential educators as part of certification required by state and professional licensing entities<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ets.org/praxis/|title=Praxis|website=www.ets.org|language=en|access-date=2018-05-24}}</ref>.


⚫
He also draws a contrast between communities and "networks", with the former being healthy, and schools being examples of the latter. He says networks have become an unhealthy substitute for community in the United States.<ref>John Taylor Gatto, "Why Schools Don't Educate", The Natural Child Project https://www.naturalchild.org/guest/john_gatto.html</ref>


Gatto's book aimed to inspire education advocates and the inception of [[Praxis test]]s. This testing measured academic competence and knowledge of specific subjects required for teaching. Praxis tests are taken by potential educators as part of certification required by state and professional licensing entities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ets.org/praxis/|title=Praxis|website=www.ets.org|language=en|access-date=2018-05-24}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [https://archive.org/download/DumbingUsDown-TheHiddenAgendaOfCompulsoryEducation/JohnTaylorGatto-dumbingUsDown_TheHiddenCurriculumOfCompulsorySchooling2002.pdf Full text] at [[Internet Archive]]
*[http://layla.miltsov.org/reviews/#gatto Book review by Layla AR]
*The Odysseus Group Web site of [[John Taylor Gatto]], reviews page for ''Dumbing Us Down: the Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling'' at [http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/bookstore/dumbdnblum1.htm Dumbing us Down - Reviews]. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070116024259/http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/bookstore/dumbdnblum1.htm |date=January 16, 2007 }}.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070116024259/http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/bookstore/dumbdnblum1.htm Reviews] at The Odysseus Group website

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[[Category:Education books]]


[[Category:Books about education]]
⚫
[[Category:1992 non-fiction books]]


{{edu-book-stub}}
{{edu-book-stub}}

Latest revision as of 13:08, 13 June 2024

Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling
First edition
AuthorJohn Taylor Gatto
Cover artistDiane McIntosh
SpracheEnglisch
SubjectEducation & Teaching, Current Affairs
GenreNon-fiction
PublisherNew Society Publishers
Publication date
1992
Media typePaperback and hardcover
Pages106 (paperback and hardcover)
ISBN0-86571-448-7
OCLC49304855
TextDumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling at Internet Archive

Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling (ISBN 086571231X) is a non-fiction book written by American teacher and political communitarian John Taylor Gatto. It has sold over 200,000 copies[1] and consists of a multitude of speeches given by the author. The book proposes that radical change is needed to the American educational system to turn around the negative socialization that children receive.

Main thesis

[edit]

Gatto asserts the following regarding what school does to children in Dumbing Us Down:

  1. It confuses the students. It presents an incoherent ensemble of information that the child needs to memorize to stay in school. Apart from the tests and trials, this programming is similar to the television; it fills almost all the "free" time of children. One sees and hears something, only to forget it again.
  2. It teaches them to accept their class affiliation.
  3. It makes them indifferent.
  4. It makes them emotionally dependent.
  5. It makes them intellectually dependent.
  6. It teaches them a kind of self-confidence that requires constant confirmation by experts (provisional self-esteem).
  7. It makes it clear to them that they cannot hide, because they are always supervised.[2]

Gatto's thesis contained neither sources nor evidence to support these claims. Wade A. Carpenter, associate professor of education at Berry College, described the work as "one-sided, angry and hyperbolic, [but] not inaccurate"[3][4]

He also draws a contrast between communities and "networks", with the former being healthy, and schools being examples of the latter. He says networks have become an unhealthy substitute for community in the United States.[5]

Gatto's book aimed to inspire education advocates and the inception of Praxis tests. This testing measured academic competence and knowledge of specific subjects required for teaching. Praxis tests are taken by potential educators as part of certification required by state and professional licensing entities.[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Philosophy of Education". Belinda Moore. Archived from the original on 2007-08-15.
  2. ^ See John Taylor Gatto, Dumbing Us Down. The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling, Iceland Gabriola: New Society Publishers, 2005, p. 2–11
  3. ^ Wade A. Carpenter (2007). "For Those We Won't Reach: An Alternative" (PDF). Educational Horizons. 85 (3): 153n8. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 22, 2011.
  4. ^ Wade A. Carpenter. "Behind Every Silver Lining: The Other Side of No Child Left Behind" (PDF). Educational Horizons. 85 (1). Archived from the original (PDF) on August 21, 2011.
  5. ^ John Taylor Gatto, "Why Schools Don't Educate", The Natural Child Project https://www.naturalchild.org/guest/john_gatto.html
  6. ^ "Praxis". www.ets.org. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
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