Freddie DeBoer challenges the narrative of failing education in America in 'The Cult Of Smart'. He argues that education isn't declining, race and gender gaps are stable or decreasing. Critiques tough education reforms and advocates for reevaluation of meritocracy. Explores universal pre-K benefits and critiques traditional schooling system for limiting freedom and creativity.
American education challenges common narratives of decline, with students matching or outperforming peers from past decades.
Intelligence gaps are primarily genetic, not environmental, debunking the notion of education as the sole factor in academic success.
De Boer advocates for dismantling meritocracy in education, promoting policies for equality of outcomes over traditional success metrics.
Deep dives
Debunking Education Reform Myths
American education, as depicted by De Boer, challenges common narratives of declining standards. The supposed failures and achievement gaps are rebutted, arguing that students match or outperform peers from past decades. The deceptive nature of education reforms like Common Core and charter schools is highlighted, showing how improvements are often based on lowered standards and selective student intake.
Genetics and Intelligence in Education
De Boer delves into behavioral genetics research, emphasizing that intelligence disparities are predominantly influenced by genes rather than the environment. He acknowledges the role of genetic factors in determining intellectual capabilities, indicating that academic outcomes are largely shaped by inherent abilities rather than educational interventions.
Challenging the Meritocracy Narrative
De Boer questions the pursuit of meritocracy in education as a means to address societal inequality. He critiques the emphasis on social mobility, highlighting that educational success merely reshuffles hierarchies without fundamentally addressing underlying inequalities. The concept of meritocracy is scrutinized as perpetuating existing social structures rather than fostering true equality.
Reimagining Education and Social Mobility
De Boer advocates for a shift in the educational paradigm towards dismantling meritocracy and embracing equality of outcomes. He proposes policy changes such as universal childcare, lowering graduation standards, and eliminating charter schools. These reforms aim to create a more equitable system that prioritizes individual well-being over traditional notions of success.
Critique of the 'Cult of Smart'
The 'Cult of Smart' examines society's contradictory perspectives on intelligence and education. While formal education is glorified, innate intelligence is often downplayed, leading to a disproportionate focus on academic achievement. De Boer challenges this dichotomy, questioning the societal obsession with academic success and advocating for a more holistic approach to valuing individuals based on diverse virtues.
Oscar Wilde supposedly said George Bernard Shaw "has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends". Socialist blogger Freddie DeBoer is the opposite: few allies, but deeply respected by his enemies. I disagree with him about everything, so naturally I am a big fan of his work - which meant I was happy to read his latest book, The Cult Of Smart.
DeBoer starts with the standard narrative of The Failing State Of American Education. Students aren't learning. The country is falling behind. Only tough no-excuses policies, standardization, and innovative reforms like charter schools can save it, as shown by their stellar performance improving test scores and graduation rates.
He argues that every word of it is a lie. American education isn't getting worse by absolute standards: students match or outperform their peers from 20 or 50 years ago. It's not getting worse by international standards: America's PISA rankings are mediocre, but the country has always scored near the bottom of international rankings, even back in the 50s and 60s when we were kicking Soviet ass and landing men on the moon. Race and gender gaps are stable or decreasing. American education is doing much as it's always done - about as well as possible, given the crushing poverty, single parent-families, violence, and racism holding back the kids it's charged with shepherding to adulthood.
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