Jean Anyon and John Gato article summary

Article Summary In the article “From Social Class and The Hidden Curriculum of Work,” Jean Anyon talks about contrasting social-class school systems and the differing curriculum offered in each. The different social-class school systems consist of working-class, middle-class, affluent professional, and executive elite. As Anyon goes into detail about the interactions in the classroom between the teachers and the students, it seems that the higher the social-class, the better the education provided is. Anyon states that “[…] students in different social-class backgrounds are rewarded for classroom behaviors that correspond to personality traits allegedly rewarded in the different occupational strata—the working classes for docility and obedience, the managerial classes for initiative and personal assertiveness. This suggests that the lower class students are graded based on following rules and regulations while being compliant and obedient, while the higher-class students are being graded on their leadership and ability to think for themselves. Initially higher-class students are held to a higher standard of education. In conclusion, Anyon states that these intellectual and behavioral skills can effect the development and learning of children in all different social-classes.

“Against School” Article

In the article “Against School”, John Gato brings up an interesting point of view regarding the necessity for public schools. “Do we really need school? I don’t mean education, just forced schooling; six classes a day, five days a week, nine months a year, for twelve years. Is this deadly routine really necessary?” Gato is referring to the grueling eight-hour school days that every American student must endure until they graduate in twelve years. Gato also makes reference to a group of students in the Manhattan School System, and their opinions of school. “They said the work was stupid, that it made no sense, that they already knew it. They said