Week #8
Literacy with an Attitude by Patrick Finn
Connection
Finn argues here that the structure of education and what is really taught in US schools is un-American, inequitable and unequal. He states that the US does not provide students with equal learning opportunities, instead their opportunities match their social class. As a result, schools actually teach students what they are destined to be or “supposed to become” despite following similar standards. Finn’s main points relate to almost all of the authors we have read thus far in this course, starting with the Prussian Based Model that mainstream schools are based off of. The concept that learning should be used to shape obedient students, rather than critical thinkers.
Beyond that, the basis of Chapter 2 by Finn is built on Jean Anyon’s work. Finn relies on Anyon’s categories to demonstrate how socioeconomics define classroom instruction and learning outcomes. Finn argues that the different subcategories of social status and class create unique opportunities for the students who are a part of them, for good and bad. For example, Finn says that students in the working class schools are taught to follow the rules and the teachers emphasize discipline over thinking. This relates to Rinkley and Bertolini’s idea of a deficit based model having a negative impact on students' success as well. At any rate, Finn’s main points draw on Anyon’s; Schools do not provide the same educational opportunities universally and they only contribute to class inequality.
There are also many connections to be made to Delpit’s arguments. In Delpit’s culture of power, she claims that schools operate based on the norms of the dominant (white, middle-class) culture. Delpit argues here that students who are not already part of that culture must be explicitly taught its rules in order to succeed. This goes hand and hand with Finn’s point that working-class students are not given access to the language, skills, or critical thinking associated with power. As mentioned before, they are instead taught compliance and basic skills. These students, who are not going to elite schools, are being excluded from Delpit's “culture of power.”
An observation from my own life that I thought of while reading Finn this week is private schools and Ivy League Universities and their role in society. I only ever attended public schools and universities, but I would consider my education to have been and still be above average. This could also be due to the fact that my parents originally moved to Portsmouth because of the renowned school system. However, there was always been students or people in my life who have only attended schools that are "the best of the best." A large population of my peers in High School were applying and getting into private universities or Ivy League schools. Not having that same experience always made me feel like less than, deep down. However as I have gotten older I've realized that is a silly feeling, but it's still valid. My husband and I often discuss whether or not our children will attend private school, and we're still not sure where we land. Public & Private Schools Stats
Hi Georgie! This is such a thoughtful synthesis of Finn’s arguments, Georgie. I particularly appreciate how you connected his ideas to Jean Anyon’s work on social class and the "culture of power" described by Delpit. It’s unsettling to consider that schools might be functioning as "sorting machines," training some for leadership and others for compliance, rather than providing a universal foundation for critical thinking.
ReplyDeleteYour personal reflection on the "best of the best" schools really resonates, too. It’s a feeling many people share, but as you noted, the value of an education isn't always found in the prestige of the name, but in the ability to think critically about these very systems. It definitely makes the decision between public and private schooling for the next generation feel much heavier!
Hi Georgie- I really enjoyed your reflection. That feeling of being “less than” compared to people who went to elite schools is so real, even when you know logically it’s not true. It kind of proves Finn’s point—those systems don’t just shape opportunities, they shape how people see themselves. I also think your question about public vs. private school for your future kids is a really honest extension of this—like once you see these inequalities, it’s hard not to wonder how to navigate them.
ReplyDeleteHi Georgie
ReplyDeleteWe looked at private school for our kids because we were worried about college. Studies show that AP passing rates are higher in private schools vs public schools. I do wonder if it is because of what Anoyns finding reveled about how schools in wealthier parts taught students more to think outside the box and encouraged finding their own solutions vs what the working class teachers approach was for following the textbook answers.
Hey Georgie!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post! I can see where you're coming from. I only went to public schools growing up and decided to put my daughter in private school for religious reasons. I still question myself was it the right decision if religion was not a factor.
Hi Georgie! I loved reading your blog! I appreciate you relating the reading back to your personal education experience growing up. I too attended public school and universities, but never thought my education was necessarily "bad" since the town I grew up in was more middle-class. I think it is so unfair that schools base their education system off of social classes.
ReplyDeleteHi Georgie, great read. Thanks for including the statistics on public vs private schools. I wasn't expecting the private school levels to be as even as they were, it's almost the opposite of what I thought they would be!
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