"Education is Politics" By: Ira Shor

Extended Comments

I used Shannon’s blog post this week to be the center of my blog.  She chose to write an argument on education and how it is failing; it has become a chore to both students and teachers.  Shannon stated, “Shor argues that the education system in the United States is not what it should be at all.  Both students and teachers are not benefiting from our country’s educational system”.  I completely agree with this statement.  Students are not taught to be creative or ask questions; they must sit in their seat, be quiet, listen to their teachers, and write notes.  I have gone to public school all my life and this is exactly what I did in school.  It was extremely boring at times.  Most teachers hated the curriculum and loathed teaching certain topics, but they had no choice but to follow it.  Another quote Shannon stated that I liked was, “People are naturally curious”.  People love to ask questions so they can learn about different things.  As Shannon stated, how do you expect people to learn if they are not given the opportunity to ask questions.  Students are constantly being taught what they are “required” to learn instead of having the student’s best interest in mind.  I also agree with Shannon about our education system and how it needs to change.  Students are dropping out of school at an alarming rate and something needs to be done.  Going to school was a chore for me as well.  It was the same routine five days a week.  Wake up at 6 a.m., go to school, fill out worksheets, take notes, and leave at 2:35 p.m.  It was not fun at all; I only enjoyed the social aspect of school.  I had several classed and teachers that I loved, but other than that and getting a good education, seeing my friends was the only thing I looked forward to.  Like Shannon, I barely learned anything.  There are a few things I remember, but a lot went in one ear and out the other.  I would study for one test and after that we began learning new material; I would forget everything I previously learned to study for the next test.  Then I would have to cram all of the material I learned throughout the year to pass my exams.  Shannon is correct, “if the curriculum was different, we would have learned so much more and we would not have wasted twelve years of our childhood sitting in a classroom day after day”.  We were only taught to obey and follow directions during school.  This method does not help students remember anything they learn.  Students need to maintain everything they learn, but the only way this can happen is if teachers make class more interesting and fun and allow their students to ask questions.  I guarantee this will help students stay engaged in school and it will decrease the dropout rate.

I found an article that relates to Shor's "Education is Politics".  It states, The Failure of American Public Education.  I also found a YouTube video: Stupid in America. Are unions destroying America's educational system?  Take a look at both!  They agree that the United States educational system needs a drastic change.

This YouTube video is different than what Shor states, it blames unions for destroying America's education system. Whereas, Shor blames teachers for following the standard curriculum. They do not make learning fun and they do not let their students state their opinions or ask questions. 

Question:

Do you agree with Shor?  Does America’s public education system need to change?