This testing measured academic competence and knowledge of specific subjects required for teaching. Gatto's book aimed to inspire education advocates and the inception of Praxis tests. His belief was privatization of education along with a free market system was the most viable option. John wrote several lectures which disclosed a significant conclusion which encouraged splitting institutional schools and removing certification from teaching. He made a critical analysis of state education and described the system as comprehensive, informal, historical, and philosophical. In his book, Dumbing us Down, John Gatto urged parents to control the education of their children. Īn article published online by the Foundation for Economic Education described John Taylor Gatto as having mentored 'millions of people in writing their own scripts'. He says networks have become an unhealthy substitute for community in the United States. He also draws a contrast between communities and “networks,” with the former being healthy, and schools being examples of the latter.

It makes it clear to them that they cannot hide, because they are always supervised.

It teaches them a kind of self-confidence that requires constant confirmation by experts (provisional self-esteem).

It makes them intellectually dependent.

It teaches them to accept their class affiliation.

One sees and hears something, only to forget it again.

Apart from the tests and trials, this programming is similar to the television it fills almost all the 'free' time of children.

It presents an incoherent ensemble of information that the child needs to memorize to stay in school.

Published Date - Wednesday, 18 January 2023.Gatto asserts the following regarding what school does to children in Dumbing Us Down:

A much-sought after speaker on education throughout North America, his other books include Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher’s Journey Through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling, (audio, Post Hypnotic Press 2012, print, New Society Press, 2009), A Different Kind of Teacher (Berkeley Hills Books, 2001), and The Underground History of American Education (Oxford Village Press, 2000). John Gatto was a teacher in New York City's public schools for over 30 years and is a recipient of the New York State Teacher of the Year award. With over 100,000 copies in print since its original publication in 2002, this book is collection of essays and speeches and includes a describes the wide-spread impact of the book and Gatto's 'guerrilla teaching.' Thirty years in New York City's public schools led John Gatto to the sad conclusion that compulsory schooling does little but teach young people to follow orders like cogs in an industrial machine.

John gatto dumbing us down