The Underground History of American Education facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | John Taylor Gatto |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Education, History |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Oxford Village Press |
|
Publication date
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2000 |
| Media type | Paperback and Hardcover |
| Pages | 412 (Paperback) |
| ISBN | 0-945700-04-0 (Paperback), ISBN: 0-945700-05-9 (Hardcover) |
| OCLC | 45004688 |
| 811/.54 20 | |
| LC Class | PS3557.R1987 O5 1993 |
| Text | The Underground History of American Education: A Schoolteacher’s Intimate Investigation Into the Problem of Modern Schooling at Internet Archive |
The book The Underground History of American Education was written by John Taylor Gatto. It looks closely at the school system in the United States.
John Taylor Gatto used to be a teacher. He even won an award as New York State Teacher of the Year. But he decided to leave teaching. He announced this in a letter called "I Quit, I Think."
In his book, Gatto shares stories from his thirty years of teaching. He also uses facts and documents. He talks about what he calls modern compulsion schooling. This is different from what he sees as true education. He believes that schools often make people follow rules too much. This can stop students from thinking freely.
About the Book
What the Book Says
Gatto argues that the way schools are set up today was planned a long time ago. He believes this plan helps keep power in the hands of a few people. He thinks this system limits students' freedom.
From the book's introduction, Gatto explains his goal:
- "Underground History isn’t a history proper, but a collection of materials toward a history..."
- He means it's a collection of ideas and facts.
- He wants to show why the current school system is hard to change.
Gatto also wrote:
- "...what I’m trying to describe [is] that what has happened to our schools was inherent in the original design for a planned economy and a planned society laid down so proudly at the end of the nineteenth century."
- This means he thinks the problems in schools today were part of the original plan. This plan was made to create a controlled society.
Radio Show Feature
The book was read aloud on the Unwelcome Guests radio show. This happened between 2006 and 2007.
Book Editions
A new version of the book came out in 2017. It was published by Oxford Scholars Press. This edition has a special introduction by Ron Paul. He is a former U.S. Congressman.
The new edition also includes an introduction by David Ruenzel. There is an afterword by Richard Grove. He is known for his work with Tragedy & Hope media. David James Rodriguez edited this revised edition.
