The Broken Model and A Short History of Public Schooling Review

This reading introduced me to a new opinion on the education system and, more specifically, public schools. Public schools and the way they function are worth attention, especially since it is the “standard” schooling. Public school is what is available to everyone and is used by most, and its system builds the way we function in society. I have always thought about “what” we learn about in school needs to be reevaluated. Just because it is what we learned in elementary school doesn't mean it's what is to be true today, or even at the time of learning. First, it is important to think about “who” is setting up these systems. If it is an old, straight, white man with selfish views, it is very possible that said man would force those beliefs upon us. Not that the answer is as simple as that, but as an example. Just like if I taught a class on colors, the rule of thumb would be that green is the best, but that isn't everyone's opinion. A lot of times in school, we are being taught things from one perspective and made to believe it is a stone-cold fact. This reading put into perspective that the systems set up to teach us also matter, not just what they teach us. It really tripped me out to think about the fact that breakfast, lunch, and dinner are just old concepts and not just the scientific ways of fueling our bodies. And then to realize that everything in our day is constructed around these meal times. That is definitely something I have never thought about. I also felt when reading the section “Test and Testing” a list was being created of all the things tests do NOT prove, and I just kept thinking all these points are what tests should be all about. It is a little overwhelming to think about how deeply rooted our education system is and that changing it would require so much change around the world. I truly never realized this. 

I thought it would be interesting to ask ChatGPT to "create a cartoon but also detailed image of what schools should look like in 2025 if the pure well being of children was prioritized" and this is what it came up with... 

Now, what ChatGPT came up with was not the most advanced piece of work, but it does touch on the comparison of what ChatGPT views schools as now (on the left) and how they should be (on the right). Notice how on the right, students are outside, smiling, and educating their bodies, not just their minds; the environment they are learning in makes them more likely to feel calm.