Blog Post #7

 Literacy with an Attitude by Patrick J. Finn

Quotes 

1. In the Preface, Finn states, "Today we see illiteracy among the have-nots as the source of many social ills." This emphasizes the educational differences seen in the different class types in the United States. This truly affects the students' future in these matters by providing fewer educational opportunities. These educational opportunities not found in the less fortunate facilities provide low test scores, fewer scholarships, and less enrollment in higher education. Not only are there fewer opportunities, but there is also a difference in lessons that emphasize completely different aspects. 

2. Later in the Preface, Finn states, "Progressive methods, empowering education, and powerful literacy tend to go together. Traditional methods, domesticating education, and functional literacy tend to go together. Progressive methods are nearly impossible unless children want school knowledge and cooperation." This shares the different types of education students get based on their social class. Higher fortunate students tend to learn critical thinking skills and leading positions while working, and lower-class students tend to emphasize obedience in education. This proves the direct disconnect the country has overall between classes, but more specifically, how it affects our education system, which inevitably affects the country's future. 

3. In the second chapter, Finn states, "After all, America is supposedly the "land of opportunity" where you can achieve whatever career goals to which you aspire...However, the more I remembered various teaching situations I've been in, the more clear class culture perpetuation became." This quote truly emphasizes the irony the United States has with preaching freedom, yet teaching the complete opposite in their public education systems. 

Reflection:

After reading, I saw a lot of similarities between this reading and the reading from last week. There were a lot of common themes of irony between the readings, but having different true meanings. This reading truly emphasized the difference in education between classes. If you were born rich, you would have a higher chance of getting a better education, which overall opens countless opportunities for higher education, leading to a more successful future. On the other hand, though, if you were born less fortunate in the United States, you will be taught how to stay less fortunate. This shows that truly the United States is not as free as it thinks it is and it is important to acknowledge in education systems as future teaching, having the future of the country in our hands.