Reading Gatto. Can anyone suggest a book that argues against Gatto's points?

[Janice in NJ]

It would help if the arguments were as clear. And it would help if the refutation was well-written.

 

Thanks!

Janice

[Candid]

I'm not sure I have any of these, but it would be helpful to know which Gatto book you are reading.

[Sebastian (a lady)]

Not sure which arguments you're thinking of. Jonathon Kozol is a writer that shows up on many Ed school reading lists. His books tend to reveal broken schools that need (iho) more money and teachers.

[Julie in MN]

Hmmm, not a refudiation but a contrast might be John Dewey? Also, PBS has a series on public education that might give some contrasting material? Maybe E.D. Hirsch as a balance -- advocating better education but using the public school system?

 

As for genuine refudiation, you might check your state teacher's union to see who they are putting up front?

 

Julie

[Nan in Mass]

I have only read bits of what Gatto has written, not whole books, so if this is off the mark, please ignore it, but:

 

What about Plato's Republic? Or philosophy books that takes a good-of-the-many-outweighs-the-good-of-the-one attitude? Or books by immigrants from places where education is only the privilage of the rich?

 

(Not that I don't think that Gatto has some good points. I just think he is overlooking some basic rules for living together and is overlooking some of the basics of human nature.)

 

Nan