Abigail Tetlow on Finn

 This weekend I read the preface and chapters 1-2 from Literacy with an Attitude by Patrick Finn. Finn is an author with a few other books on education. He also has a fascination with Indian quilts. 

Literacy with an Attitude mainly describes ideas about two types of education that can be observed. These are "empowering education" and "domesticating education". He describes how empowering education is for wealthy students to become critical thinkers and leaders, whereas, domesticating education trains working class students to become obedient. Domesticating education is similar to something we talked about in class where children learn a time schedule at school and submit to teachers to become more suited for work in a factory. But, looking at existing education through this lens just isn't productive,  that this isn't why students follow a schedule and follow rules placed by teachers and administration. Students must adhere to things like the schedule because, how else will they be able to learn? Even the students who are supposedly getting the empowering education must arrive at school on time and follow the rules. 

Rather than assuming structure and rules are inherently oppressive, teachers can use the tools at hand to give every student the best chance at the future they want. Every high school and I have observed clearly displays how they encourage students graduate and to go to college. Additionally, every high school provides career pathways beyond college, such as trade schools, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurial opportunities, while also ensuring that students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will serve them in any field. 

Additionally, with the elimination of the Department of Education, states and cities will be able to make decisions on their own. This will make education much more personalized for every individual school. The federal government has no role in the k-12 education system.