Why Our Coercive System of Schooling Should Topple

Why Our Coercive System of Schooling Should Topple by Peter Gray click here asan application of John Holt's view of children's learning.

1. Denial of liberty on the basis of age.
Education now intrudes on time with family and friends when reallearning takes place, for example through hobbies.
2. Fostering of shame, on the one hand, and hubris, on the other.
We rely on a system of incessant testing, grading, and ranking of children compared with their peers. We thereby tap into and distort the human emotional systems of shame and pride to motivate children to do the work. Children are made to feel ashamed if they perform worse than their peers and pride if they perform better. Shame leads some to drop out, psychologically, from the educational endeavor and to become class clowns (not too bad), or bullies (bad), or drug abusers and dealers (very bad). Those made to feel excessive pride from the shallow accomplishments that earn them A's and honors may become arrogant, disdainful of the common lot who don't do so well on tests; disdainful, therefore, of democratic values and processes (and this may be the worst effect of all).

3. Interference with the development of cooperation and nurturance.
Restricts teamwork and discussion.

4. Interference with the development of personal responsibility and self-direction.
The above restricts opportunities for young people to become active and responsible members of the community and also leads to ....

5. Linking of learning with fear, loathing, and drudgery.

6. Inhibition of critical thinking.

7. Reduction in diversity of skills, knowledge, and ways of thinking.