Reading Response #1 (Moore)

Michael Moore’s piece ‘Idiot Nation” describes some of the problems with America’s public school systems. Inspired by Moore’s own negative experiences in public school and his ensuing career as a political writer, Moore goes in depth to describe the decreases in funding for schools (which have led to deteriorating conditions of school buildings and outdated books in libraries and classrooms), the lack of public and financial support shown to teachers, and the increase in corporate sponsorship of schools, all of which have culminated in what Moore deems a ‘nation of idiots’ (Moore, 128)

                In the text Moore discusses many of the bad experiences that he had in school, among them being bored in the first grade when the children were learning to read (a skill which he already possessed), feeling imprisoned in “a two-thousand-plus-inmate holding pen” (Moore, 134) in high school, and dropping out of college when he couldn’t find a parking spot. Among his triumphs was successfully running for school board president as a senior in high school, becoming his principal’s boss overnight.

                I agree with Moore that public schools are failing children. Although I never ran for political office as a teenager, I had my qualms with the public school system. I loved school as a kid but was constantly bored in class. I spent most lunch hours reading in the library and was frequently reprimanded for reading under my desk during lectures (despite the purported ‘distraction’, I continued to do well on tests).  Once I hit junior high, though, my positive attitude about school took a nose dive (possible causes: hormones, punk rock music). I decided that my peers and teachers were morons and the school system was designed to drain me of my very will to live. I fantasized about being sent away to boarding school (preferably one specializing in Witchcraft and Wizardry) or at least going to the local private high school (despite the Catholicism), but that was a financial impossibility for me. I continued to attend school until the 10^th grade, when my dismal grades and desperate pleas convinced my parents to let me take the California High School Proficiency Exam.  A month into my sophomore year of high school I stopped attending classes and got a job at a Subway sandwich shop, gaining my ‘high school equivalency’ a few months later.

                Once I was out of school I spent a lot of time volunteering at the public elementary school where my mom was the office manager. Because of budget cuts the office assistant was getting fewer hours and my mom was expected to pick up all the extra work, which included being the de facto school nurse (the district only had one registered nurse who travelled from school to school) in addition to enrolling kids, watching kids who got sent to the office, calling parents, creating class rosters and doing endless paper work. Also due to budget cuts the school continuously increases the children to adult ratio, which forces teachers to act as babysitters.

                Moore’s attitude towards school and schooling, much like the one I developed, is one of frustration and disdain. Moore seems possessed of a desire for real learning, but believes that politicians are throwing up road blocks for teachers and administrators and severely disadvantaging the young people who attend public schools. Moore states that “political leaders – and the people who vote for them – have decided it’s a bigger priority to build another bomber than to educate our children” (Moore, 131). I agree with Moore that the attitude of American voters and politicians (themselves products of our flawed educational system) is a root cause of our floundering school system.