I have read the opinion that the invention of public schooling in its current form was designed to create a more agreeable populace and workforce.
On the one hand, I wouldn’t say the modern U.S. public school system was “designed” at all. Rather, it arose over the course of generations from disparate 19th-century origins. Even now, in spite of the federal government, it’s hugely local.
On the other hand, a lot of parents would be thrilled if the schools they have to send their children to were actually good at keeping students “agreeable” (as opposed to violent) and equipped them to join the workforce in some way—any way.
If you want an equally cynical, but much more sophisticated view of the American public school system, I’d suggest something from public choice theory
It was certainly modeled after the Prussian style schools, so it was designed in a certain sense. That a group of movers and shakers actually sat down and said “this is how we want our schools to be and why, what can we do about it?” seems far fetched to me, but not impossible. More likely the Prussian style was much more impressive, and politicians pushed for it without regarding whether or not it was actually a superior system.
The Prussian system was specifically designed to replace the local aristocracy by instilling obedience in the crown through indoctrination. It was one of the primary goals, the other being preparing the population with skills needed to operate in an industrialized society—namely reading, writing and arithmetic.
I don’t believe the American version of the same was as focused in its goals. There was no single entity that could drive such goals (we had no King), so it seems unlikely that the Whigs (the major proponents of the system) were trying to indoctrinate students into supporting the Whig party. I think it was more generally thought of as a more efficient way to educate children.
The general effect is that students learn to do as they are told by whoever is in authority, so much so that this has become a virtue. In contrast, questioning authority was one of the founding principles of the country. Since the old system was community driven, often with one teacher teaching all subjects for all ages, the students were required to learn some things for themselves, and often also required to teach younger students what they knew.
Also, just because an agreeable workforce was a goal does not mean it actually succeeded. In general, however, I think it has done a reasonable job—much better than allowing students to think for themselves would have.
I’m somewhat familiar with education in the U.S., and I perceive a lot of heterogeneity. Public schools vary widely, to say the least. Aside from that, there are alternatives such as parochial schools and home schooling.
I’m not so familiar with schools outside the U.S. Which modern systems would you say are less authoritarian than the prevailing U.S. system?
I have been informed that the PISA scoring system is a good metric for international comparisons. Finland seems to do really well! I truly know nothing about their educational system, however, or how authoritarian it may be.
On the one hand, I wouldn’t say the modern U.S. public school system was “designed” at all. Rather, it arose over the course of generations from disparate 19th-century origins. Even now, in spite of the federal government, it’s hugely local.
On the other hand, a lot of parents would be thrilled if the schools they have to send their children to were actually good at keeping students “agreeable” (as opposed to violent) and equipped them to join the workforce in some way—any way.
If you want an equally cynical, but much more sophisticated view of the American public school system, I’d suggest something from public choice theory
It was certainly modeled after the Prussian style schools, so it was designed in a certain sense. That a group of movers and shakers actually sat down and said “this is how we want our schools to be and why, what can we do about it?” seems far fetched to me, but not impossible. More likely the Prussian style was much more impressive, and politicians pushed for it without regarding whether or not it was actually a superior system.
The Prussian system was specifically designed to replace the local aristocracy by instilling obedience in the crown through indoctrination. It was one of the primary goals, the other being preparing the population with skills needed to operate in an industrialized society—namely reading, writing and arithmetic.
I don’t believe the American version of the same was as focused in its goals. There was no single entity that could drive such goals (we had no King), so it seems unlikely that the Whigs (the major proponents of the system) were trying to indoctrinate students into supporting the Whig party. I think it was more generally thought of as a more efficient way to educate children.
The general effect is that students learn to do as they are told by whoever is in authority, so much so that this has become a virtue. In contrast, questioning authority was one of the founding principles of the country. Since the old system was community driven, often with one teacher teaching all subjects for all ages, the students were required to learn some things for themselves, and often also required to teach younger students what they knew.
Also, just because an agreeable workforce was a goal does not mean it actually succeeded. In general, however, I think it has done a reasonable job—much better than allowing students to think for themselves would have.
I’m somewhat familiar with education in the U.S., and I perceive a lot of heterogeneity. Public schools vary widely, to say the least. Aside from that, there are alternatives such as parochial schools and home schooling.
I’m not so familiar with schools outside the U.S. Which modern systems would you say are less authoritarian than the prevailing U.S. system?
Finland comes to mind. Interesting system from what I’ve read about it.
How does Finland do things? Are there links?
P.S.
I have been informed that the PISA scoring system is a good metric for international comparisons. Finland seems to do really well! I truly know nothing about their educational system, however, or how authoritarian it may be.
I can only find http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8601207.stm in my Evernote, but it’s the BBC so it should be reliable enough.