School Rules: The Hidden Curriculum in Institutionalized Schools
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The other day, a sweet friend of mine posted on social media that she wished her children had less rules to follow and more freedom, and that she wished the same for herself. My first thought was, “Easy…Homeschool.” But that is not everyone’s calling nor is it a choice that they think they can make. I get that. So my next thought went to the traditional school that her children attend. And so I private messaged her saying, “Institutionalized schooling needs to make that change - too many rules, too many bells, not enough autonomy. We have all fallen victim.”
Here’s the thing. In reading Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto, I am learning more of what the institutionalized school may be teaching children (and already taught us) without us knowing. It’s what Gatto calls the “hidden curriculum.” Gatto, awarded New York Teacher of the Year multiple times, gave speeches on why he was teacher of the year. According to the award-winning educator, it wasn’t because he taught his subject content so well - it was because he taught the “hidden curriculum” well…and he did it for thirty years. In chapter one, he lists the following seven things he teaches well:
Confusion
Class Position
Indifference
Emotional Dependency
Intellectual Dependency
Provisional Self-Esteem
One Can’t Hide
It’s quite shocking to read his provoking words, knowing that he gave his award-winning speech to the teachers, administrators, and parents. I can’t help but chuckle at this ironic speech - because as I read it, as a former traditional school teacher myself - I know it is true. Yes, I loved going to my institutionalized school, and I positively learned so much during it. Millions of children have benefited greatly from institutionalized school. I know many children in it now who have thrived and grown and experienced great joy in it. But I think, through reading this book, it is time to take a look at what else might be filling our children’s hearts and minds without us even realizing it.
We wonder why children have to be told what to do all the time. We wonder why so many people do not take initiative. We wonder why people have not developed their own interests or have no idea what to pursue for career or college major. For hours upon hours of their day, children are laden with rules, burdened with assignments, and told all day what to do. Of course balance is needed. Of course some parts of the day children need guidance and structure and routine - but do they need it for six to eight hours every week day?
We still and possibly always will need institutionalized school - but it needs to change. My hat’s off to charter schools who dare to experiment and lead the way for new ways to educate. I cheer for you and you Waldorf and Montessori schools who have shown us ways to educate children beyond the fast-food model. Now we just need all the rest of the schools to catch up. To try getting rid of bells and assembly lines, and maybe even grade levels?!?!
As homeschoolers, we also need to remind ourselves that we do not need to confine our children with the rules of institutionalized school. Try revisiting your approach your school days, the choices you offer, and the requirements you make. Ask yourself, “Am I just duplicating institutionalized school at home?” For some of us, that is an easy trap to fall into since that is all we know and seems efficient. Like today, I literally set a timer for my children’s free time and told them to come to the table when the timer went off. Then, I checked in with myself and our homeschooling mission. So, I stopped the timer and said, “Hey, you know you still have math to do, so when you are ready come and do it. Just make sure you complete your work before bedtime.” I do not want my children regularly living by bells and timers. I do not want to imitate institutionalized schooling. I want autonomy, choice, strong work ethic, and some interest-led activities.
Because, as John Taylor Gatto says, as he ends his Chapter 1, New York Teacher of the Year speech, “School is a twelve-year jail sentence where bad habits are the only curriculum truly learned. I teach school and win awards doing it. I should know.”
(For more about this topic, check out our podcast book club series for Gatto’s book: Episodes 55 and 57.)
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