The Underground History of American Education and Learning to Read

The Odysseus Group People's Education Debate & Discussion Center

John Taylor Gatto, New York Teacher of the Year, wrote a book called The Underground History of American Education, a book filled with history and ideas you won't find in the public education system voted in by Congress in 1854 or 1857 when a legislative bill created the National Education Association (NEA).

It's been a gradual downhill since. The French philosopher, Alex de Tocqueville wrote Democracy in America in 1831 with high praise for the literacy, critical thinking skills, debating skills and articulation skills of the United States of America. He said we were more literate than the French. A Frenchman said that.

Click on John Taylor Gatto's link and enjoy perhaps some ah ha moments, moments we didn't learn in our public schools. This is the book that helped me to help my grandsons to learn not only how to read but to love reading!