These days we seem to have forgotten what schools are for. Our national leaders see them only as economic institutions, preparing students for careers and college. Business leaders see them as workplace training.
Frank Breslin, a retired high school teacher of German, Latin, and history, has a vision of schooling that is far broader than training to get a job or get ahead.
This is how he begins:
“A school is a sacred place. It reveres every child as a being of infinite worth and dignity, whatever his or her ability.
“A school is about teaching children the skills they need to prevail in a world that makes it difficult to keep one’s bearings.
“It is about helping them develop belief in themselves and instilling trust in their own judgment to think for themselves.”
Children are not just future workers. They are human beings, each deserving the best education we can provide.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
“Doing well on tests is not an education, but simply a skill in taking tests.” Amen
That’s exactly the evidence Dr. Stroup, from the University of Texas, presented to the Texas legislature. Jason Stanford at the Texas Observer, then described the punishment that Dr. Stroup received, in a Sept. 3 article titled, “Mute the Messenger”.
Many thinking individuals have also just decided that public schools will never be effective, and that it wastes talent to work in them.
That mindset makes me sad. But I do hear it. Even from people who went through public schools and are doing well in life.
What does is an “effective” public school? Wastes talent to work in them? It is really scary how easily we can be brainwashed to start spouting “truths” that have little to no basis in fact.
What does “is an effective public school” mean?
Frank, you hit the nail on the head – but only if you are talking about children whose parents can afford private schools. The rest of society needs “guidelines” called Common Core so that the “plebeians” will be properly “educated”.
After all, one must be educated the correct way to become nonthinking consumers and tax payers.
Ellen, If I may correct your last statement “After all, one must be TRAINED the correct way to become nonthinking consumers and tax payers.”
Breslin is pointing out the difference between “training” and “education”.
Duane, you are too right. Thanks for the catch!
I recently saw a documentary on Rabindagrath Tagore a nobel laureate poet from India. His schools are legendary. The students were taught outside under trees and in naure. For the first few years there were few academics as they explored the creativity of the child in nature, music , poetry and art. By 9 or so they commenced with academics and absorbed them rapidly. The graduates were and are well rounded, deep, spiritually aware people who went on to teach at Harvard etc. They did not suffer from boredom, too much competition, endless testing, rankings, etc. They blossomed like the human plants they were opening in their own time and own way to the beauty within and without and the creativity and talents latent in each. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of his methods and struck dumb by the cruelty of our reform movement. It makes no sense for fragile, growing, sensitive kids, it’s mind numbing and soul killing. Which pretty well describes the reform movement by the way.
Julie,
They sound like great schools. I am sure that some of the relatively wealthy would be interested in attending such schools, so a private school that offers this kind of education is possible (Tagore schools are, of course, private). A charter or magnet school might offer this approach to education to less wealthy households as well. I don’t see how a traditional zoned school could ever offer such an education. There would simply be too much opposition in the catchment area and likely the district.
You just don’t quit, do you? It’s been demonstrated over and over again that all kinds of progressive models can be and are offered within the public umbrella, but you just cover your ears and shout “I CAN’T HEAR YOU!!”
An give me some for instances of charter schools serving “less wealthy households” which offer any sort of progressive model (I’ll grant you your Walton Rural Life School). How many students do such charters serve compared to the KIPP/YES/Rocketship/etc. type charters with dozens of schools each all over the country?
Dienne,
Please reread my post. My claim is that this kind of school is incompatible with the traditional zoned school. Do you disagree?
No, I don’t agree, as I said in the first paragraph. All sorts of different school models can and do exist within the traditional zoned school. As just one example, my hometown in Indiana – as conservative a place as you’ll find – has opened a progressive school within their traditional elementary school. No, I don’t specifically know of a Tagore program within a public school (I don’t know of such a charter school either), but I don’t see why one couldn’t be formed if there were enough support for it.
Dienne,
Which blocks of your town are assigned to attend the progressive school?
If the progressive program is a magnet program, it is not a part of the traditional zoned school.
Congrats, TE – it’s an art to be that obtuse and you’ve mastered the art well.
To answer your question, anyone who is eligible to attend the elementary school can opt in to the progressive program. They adjust the size of the program based on how many people want it. If the entire town did, the entire school would be progressive.
Dienne,
That sounds like a great program for the citizens of you town to choose. If I remember correctly, you send your children to a private progressive school. Have you considered switching to this public progressive program?
I am also impressed that this program (and the traditional non-progressive school) face no capacity issues. Your town must be very small if it is only served by a single public elementary school (is the private school where you send your children in your town?). In a larger town I suspect capacity constraint would result in a lottery system to determine admissions if the program was to become oversubscribed.
My belief: Frank is absolutely correct. In our local newspaper today an article by the head of a local college talked about higher education and how it is still worthwhile. People finishing college make more money.
For me, the purpose of an education has been forgotten. Yes, a college education will help you make more money but that should not be what education is about. Too often the monetary advantages are promoted but the human values of an “education” have been underplayed.
Yet again: what is the purpose of life? Yes, one must make a living but does it stop there? Not for people who are serious about a quality of life.
Have printed the article and will be giving it to our new principal.
Excellent writing Sr. Breslin!
I think we the people have forgotten that we live in a country with a constitution that guarantees our freedom and independence. If we are not vigilant to those who seek to take these freedoms piece by piece, we will cease to be that great nation. As teachers, we must instill that passion for not just knowledge of subject area, but also the ability to stand up and oppose those who seek to take freedom from us. We cannot allow fear to be the reason for politicians, leaders, and wealthy corporate owners for dictating what is best for us. We are born with free will. God help those who seek to oppress us. Education is not a business. We all should be shouting loudly, “Not in our backyards,” and waving the “Don’t tread on me” flags. We had a revolution already to free us from oppressors. What would stop us now from fighting for our freedom? Fear will stop anyone from action, but those who sacrificed themselves in the revolution were afraid also. Our revolution is to take back education from those who seek to reform it for their own greedy agendas. Our children are not proles to manipulate and condition to become future workers for corporations whose bottom line is profit. I don’t have the answers but I do know that our educational system is in chaos, and we all need to recognize it, from the top down. Otherwise, nothing will change for the betterment of all.
Thanks for sharing this powerful piece on the importance of education for all.
Unfortunately, every public school corporation and public school official who endorses standardized testing, a national curriculum, or any practice that is not attune to student-centered, authentic learning, has unwittingly become one of the best advocates for national school choice.
John,
Any thoughts about the American Academy of Pediatrics recent call for all middle and high schools to begin classes no earlier than 8:30 in the morning? ( press release is here: http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/Let-Them-Sleep-AAP-Recommends-Delaying-Start-Times-of-Middle-and-High-Schools-to-Combat-Teen-Sleep-Deprivation.aspx)
I would say that earlier starting times are not in the best interest of the students. Would you agree?
TE:
You are the reason that “the American Academy of Pediatrics recent call for all middle and high schools to begin classes no earlier than 8:30 in the morning”
You choose your nickname, “teachingeconomist.” However, you have not demonstrated any wisdom in economy through your posts in this website.
Most of all, you master the “beating around the bush’s style” in every thread in this website.
In this current lifestyle of the particular “material driven” society, most of high school students and few of middle schoolers need or must handle house chores like taking care of younger siblings (in single parent household), or obtain part time job at fast-food outlets in shopping mall in order to earn a pocket money for electronic gadgets, movie, or necessity like eyes-glasses, tuition fee for future university…These expenses are beyond the reach of low-income parents. As a result, these students do not have enough time to do homework and to have enough sleep at night.
I hope that you, TE will contribute your wisdom and expertise in economy relate to the thread, so that we, all readers can pick up some useful ideas from you. For example, in this particular thread, Frank Breslin, a retired high school teacher of German, Latin, and history, has a vision of schooling that is far broader than training to get a job or get ahead.
Would you, TE be able to share some of your experience as teacher in the field of economy? “It is about helping them develop belief in themselves and instilling trust in their own judgment to think for themselves.” Please tell us how you have helped students to develop belief in them through teaching economy, and how to instill trust in their own judgment about pros and cons in CCSS, for instance.
“ICANTWAIT” group will definitely need your expertise in economy in order to persuade Bill Gate and Pearson to withdraw their evil intention of destroying American Public Education. Back2basic.
m4potw,
You might wish to review this collection of research presentations on sleep, learning, and adolescence put together by folks at the University of Minnisota: http://www.cehd.umn.edu/carei/sleepresources.html
I will add a link to the related report in another post to avoid moderation.
m4potw,
Here is the link to the related research report: http://conservancy.umn.edu/bitstream/11299/162769/1/Impact%20of%20Later%20Start%20Time%20Final%20Report.pdf