Introduction Most people have similar views of education: “Education helps you learn useful skills!” “Education teaches you how to think!” “Education makes you into a better person!” Your teachers, parents, and role models likely tell you this everyday. I call this the
"For example, people say education can teach appreciation for high culture such as Shakespeare, Poetry, and Art. However, the evidence shows school does the exact opposite. Students assigned summer reading, read for fun less Students who receive grades/rewards for art are less creative. Also, you can just ask people if English class instilled a love of reading in them. I would guess most would say the exact opposite."
This is the part I have the most trouble with. Because whatever 'evidence' there is, it can't possibly cancel out the biggie: before compulsory education was brought in, lots of people couldn't read, and reading for pleasure was less common; after universal education, countries quickly get to basically universal literacy, and there is a literary explosion.
The Case Against Education: Book Review
"For example, people say education can teach appreciation for high culture such as Shakespeare, Poetry, and Art. However, the evidence shows school does the exact opposite. Students assigned summer reading, read for fun less Students who receive grades/rewards for art are less creative. Also, you can just ask people if English class instilled a love of reading in them. I would guess most would say the exact opposite."
This is the part I have the most trouble with. Because whatever 'evidence' there is, it can't possibly cancel out the biggie: before compulsory education was brought in, lots of people couldn't read, and reading for pleasure was less common; after universal education, countries quickly get to basically universal literacy, and there is a literary explosion.