The Origins of Compulsory Education - by John Gatto suggests a true but little known series of historical contexts for today's testing controversy. Respond to the article on the discussion board. Consistent with the failure of past reform cycles to last beyond a three to five year cycle, and the lack of transfer of successful practices from one context to another, Tye s insights help explain why what can hope to be changed in schools are the personality factors moving pieces around within a box. Tye asserts it is the conventional wisdom of unexamined assumptions held in our culture. The ones she enumerates are Schools are chaotic, dangerous places.
Teaching is an easy job, with lots of time off.
Too much money is spent on schools. Schools today are not doing a good job of teaching the basics. A quiet classroom is one where learning is taking place. The most effective teaching is traditional frontal, and teacher-directed. Children should be grouped by age and ability.