School Sucks: Higher Education For Self-Liberation

**24. Thinking, Fast and Slow** Jul 15, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #24 of 50

***Theme Three: What It Means To Be Educated***

We move from self-directed learning to its outcome: critical thinking.
Today I'll discuss one of the MOST IMPORTANT aspects of it: our persistent uncritical thoughts and feelings.

(November, 2016) What is wrong with John Oliver? What's wrong with Donald Trump? What's wrong the anti-Trump anti-reality protestors? What was wrong with me the other day when I suddenly felt impelled to hatch a conspiracy theory about Trump's election being part of a "larger plan" with little evidence? What's wrong with an alarming number of the interactions in School Sucks Facebook group lately?

Political thinking is often quick thinking.

Thinking quickly is an evolution-driven feature that was once necessary for our survival. But in a vastly more complex world than the one our species grew up in, this mode of thought is often dangerous and destructive. Look around.

Sometimes some people, even libertarians, use mental shortcuts to arrive at faulty conclusions, and then engage in a process of rationalization for those conclusions.

In short, we'll explore observations of the left and pro-Trump right over the last year with the valuable lessons from Daniel Kahneman's book Thinking, Fast and Slow. The goal is utilize examples of thinking errors to avoid making them ourselves, often without even noticing.

Get ALL episodes in this series: HERE

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School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

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Originally November 20th, 2016 As “[PODCAST #461] Speed and Politics (Part One) - Rules For Radicals"
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**23. Unenclosed Children** Jul 12, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #23 of 50

***Theme Three: What It Means To Be Educated***

Kerry McDonald is a home-educating mother of four, who holds an M.Ed. from Harvard University, where she studied education administration, planning, and social policy. She is a writer for Natural Mother Magazine, the Foundation for Economic Education, Forbes, and Intellectual Takeout. She is a founding member of AlternativesToSchool.com, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Self-Directed Education. Her blog podcast is LiberatED.

She joins me today to discuss

her professional/academic education background

how she learned about and embraced self-directed learning

her current online projects

how education works in her home (and beyond), for each of her 4 children

promoting self-directed education

Benefits of Self-Directed Learning

her article "Cultivating An Unenclosed Childhood"

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Originally Released July 19th, 2017 As “[PODCAST #504] Unenclosed Children and Self-Directed Learning – With Kerry McDonald"
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**22. Filling the Trough** Jul 07, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #22 of 50

***Theme Three: What It Means To Be Educated***

Scott Hambrick returns for a discussion on "how people learn and how we help them do that," as he aspires to be a more effective home-educator, Starting Strength coach, and leader at Online Great Books.

We begin our discussion with an exploration of the common learning theories practiced in public school and higher education, along with a cost/benefit analysis of each: behaviorism, cognitivism, and (social) constructivism. We also touch on connectivism and mindset theory.

In future conversation(s) we'll cover additional behaviors and practices that can greatly enhance both the learning and thing processes, including The 20-Hour Rule, the Six Thinking Hats, the Trivium Method, attributes of self-directed learning and strategies for critical thinking in everyday life.

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Originally Released July 9th, 2019 As “[PODCAST #619] Filling the Trough - With Scott Hambrick"
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**21. What It Means To Be Educated** Jul 04, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #21 of 50

***Theme Three: What It Means To Be Educated***

Today's show is intended as a resource for listeners looking to share the ideas of alternative education and self directed learning with their friends and family, or with anyone wants to learn more about these subjects.

Blake Boles builds exciting alternatives to traditional school for self-directed young people. He runs the company Unschool Adventures and is the author of The Art of Self-Directed Learning, Better Than College, and College Without High School.
Blake and I discuss the path to more self directed learning

How to define the current school problem

Why Schooling is not the same as education

John Taylor Gatto's definition of real education

The attributes of an educated person

Self-Determination Theory and self directed learning

Promising developments in educational alternatives

How more people can gain access to alternative education

How parents improve their children's educational experience even if they can't take them out of public school

"An education is the capacity to author your own life instead of merely accepting the one handed to you." - Blake

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Originally Released March 25th, 2018 As “[PODCAST] #551: What It Means To Be Educated – Blake Boles"
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**20. Don't Be Anyone's Useful Idiot** Jun 29, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #20 of 50

***Theme Two: Leaving Institutional Schooling and Finding Educational Alternatives***

In the previous episode you heard my first podcast with Zak from 2016. Today we'll fast-forward five years for updates on life and career advice in times of increasing uncertainty and instability.

Favorite School Sucks neighbor Zak Slayback returns to offer some key 2021 updates to his past advice for young people at the beginning of their careers. Our previous conversation on this topic, called **How High School Students Can Get Ahead In Their Careers [PODCAST #583**], covered:

Why young people need to start personal websites while in high school, and how this website can work as a portfolio, showcase of personality, a canvas and as insurance

How to contact an existing expert in the area you want to go into, getting a better idea of how to get started

Methods of signaling and building a portfolio

growing your network of people who are a few steps ahead of you

We'll make some adjustment to previous advice, and discuss what advice still stands and why. We'll also look at the big picture of politics, society, tech, and the hellstorm that's certainly on its way. Sorry.

Additions include:

seriously ask yourself why you need to be on social media

how deep are your options? how fragile is your situation?

what consulting opportunities exist for you?

Zak Slayback is an entrepreneur who writes, speaks and takes action on issues of education, innovation, and philosophy. He is an Ivy League dropout and a founding team member of Praxis - an organization that creates apprenticeships for college-age people that lead directly to full-time jobs.

Learn more about Zak at ZakSlayback.com.

Zak is also one of the presenters in The Ideas Into Action Summit

The downloadable version of The Ideas Into Action Summit is now available.
Use the coupon code **independence** to can get it for 30% off now until July 5th
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Get The Book For Free

Please Support School Sucks

School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

Your support keeps the show alive, which keeps us at the top of the options for education podcasts and leads to new people discovering our work. Please help us continue to spread this important message further!

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Originally Released January 16th, 2021 “Plan B” With Zak Slayback [PODCAST #696]
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**19. Succeeding Without Schooling** Jun 25, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #19 of 50

***Theme Two: Leaving Institutional Schooling and Finding Educational Alternatives***

Zak Slayback is an entrepreneur who writes, speaks and takes action on issues of education, innovation, and philosophy. He is an Ivy League dropout and a founding team member of Praxis - an organization that creates apprenticeships for college-age people that lead directly to full-time jobs.

Learn more about Zak at ZakSlayback.com.

**Discussion:**

the power and opportunity of apprenticeships

What's the difference between school and education?

career guidance (or lack thereof) in high school

The truth about college admissions

The Ivy League liability

deschooling

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School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

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Originally Released October 10th, 2016 as "[PODCAST] #454: Building A Credential Better Than the College Degree, With Zak Slayback"
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**18. Learning Without Schooling** Jun 22, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #18 of 50

***Theme Two: Leaving Institutional Schooling and Finding Educational Alternatives***

Today, an Essential School Sucks compilation of two conversations with natural learning legends: Sandra Dodd and Pam Laricchia.

**PART ONE:** Sandra Dodd is a world-renown unschooling and natural learning advocate, and the mother of three adult unschooled children. Her website SandraDodd.com is one of the most comprehensive unschooling resources on the internet. She joins me for a fast-paced but fairly comprehensive discussion on unschooling and choice and her unschooling experiences, influences and philosophy.

Unschoolers and Reading

Sandra share the stories of her three children learning to read, and how there might not always be clear incremental steps.

A Mindset For Unschooling

"read a little, try a little, wait a while, watch" - patience

what are we watching for?

addressing problems a discomforts

appreciation of choice and projecting optimism

power-with, instead of power-over relationships, partnership

beware of blindly "supportive" unschooling communities

Full Show With Sandra: Sandra Dodd – On Unschooling and Choice [PODCAST #585]

**PART TWO:** Pam Laricchia is the creator of the blog livingjoyfully.ca - an amazing, well-organized resource for people exploring how to live and learn without school. She is also the author of several books on unschooling, including The Unschooling Journey: A Field Guide. Pam began unschooling with her three children back in 2002 and she has continued her enthusiastic exploration through blogging, podcasting and presenting at conferences.

FOR PEOPLE EXPLORING OR STARTING UNSCHOOLING

What are the important foundations of unschooling?

Making the Transition to Unschooling - rule dropping vs. rule relaxing

How to nurture Curiosity, Being Open to Our Child's Wonder

How to foster an engaged mind, main three characteristics of real and effective learning (from the article Curious and Engaged)

Pam's 3 Characteristics of Real and Effective Learning

engagement: exploring and playing with an idea, topic, or skill

motivation: staying engaged in their exploration, even through challenges

thinking: creativity and analysis, and is key to the bigger picture understanding of how the idea, topic, or skill fits into their world

CHALLENGES/CONCERNS ABOUT UNSCHOOLING

the process of deschooling

How to develop and maintain the patience and proper mindset for unschooling

Mediating conflicting needs, between parent and child/children

Plus A Listener question - Thanks Jahaira!

"The main idea that comes to mind is the topic of TRUST. As a parent, you want your children to have everything they need to thrive, and it's scary to leave it to "chance". It's scary to fully TRUST that they will learn what they need to learn of their own volition and of their own desire..."

Full Show With Pam: The Relationship Benefits of Unschooling – With Pam Laricchia [PODCAST #557]

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Please Support School Sucks

School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

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Both Shows Originally Released in 2018
Support School Sucks: Higher Education For Self-Liberation

**17. Growing Without Schooling** Jun 20, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #17 of 50

***Theme Two: Leaving Institutional Schooling and Finding Educational Alternatives***

Pat Farenga is a leading unschooling advocate, and the father of three adult unschooled children. He worked closely with unschooling pioneer John Holt on the Growing Without Schooling Magazine, and in the mid-1980s he took over as publisher of GWS and the president of Holt Associates. Today Pat runs the website JohnHoltGWS.com, which archives all the issues of the magazine, plus a variety of unschooling books and resources. He joins me to discuss the history of unschooling (the idea and the movement), his experiences as an unschooling parent, his relationship with John Holt and the language we use to convey our ideas.

Pat's Personal History of Unschooling

He and his wife raised three girls, and while embracing the unschooling philosophy, they left the door into and out school open for them. The embrace was a very gradual process, from idealism about teaching to John Holt's impact on his ideas about learning. The importance of avoiding the creation of an adversarial relationship with school in the minds of children.

A Mindset For Unschooling

slowing down, living consciously

The Legend of Zelda teaches reading

appreciation of choice

trying school

The Language of Unschooling

We discuss the words we use in relation to branding and outreach.

My discomforting revelation about the low volume of searches for unschooling and deschooling.

John Holt's issue with the words "education" and "educator"

The interesting etymology of the word "Education" and how the meaning was changed

The Professional Rejection of John Holt's Ideas

Holt: learning is not the result of teaching; it's the result of the activity of the learners; teaching can be helpful, but the prerequisite is the intrinsic motivation of the learner

Gatto: "professional interest is served by making what is easy to do seem hard"

Escape From Childhood (1974)- advocacy needs and rights of children and the ephebiphobic (fear of young people) response

The Ideas In Action Summit

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Please Support School Sucks

School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

Your support keeps the show alive, which keeps us at the top of the options for education podcasts and leads to new people discovering our work. Please help us continue to spread this important message further!

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Our Private Community:

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Originally Released November 14, 2018 As "Pat Farenga – The Evolution of Unschooling [PODCAST #586]"
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**16. Here Is What's Possible Beyond Public School** Jun 18, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #16 of 50

***Theme Two: Leaving Institutional Schooling and Finding Educational Alternatives***

From (#SchoolSucksAcrossAmerica - DAY SIX - OCT 20 - Harrisburg, PA)
Tony Myers and I ask and answer questions with Circle School students and staff.

**From the The Circle School website:**
A pioneer in integral education, The Circle School’s program balances freedom and responsibility in a self-directed, democratic community. Students are free to choose their own activities, while sharing with staff responsibility for the day-to-day management of all aspects of the school.

Several participants will address these two questions:

What is the most exciting or satisfying thing you've taught yourself this year?

What is the biggest challenge for you?

Related Show:
[PODCAST] #526: Sparks Academy (Founder Interview and Student Discussion)

The Ideas In Action Summit

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School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

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Originally Released October 27, 2017 As "[PODCAST] #520: Circle School Roundtable (With Tony Myers and Over 20 Young Self-Educators)"
Support School Sucks: Higher Education For Self-Liberation

**15. Building Self-Directed Learning Communities** Jun 15, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #15 of 50

***Theme Two: Leaving Institutional Schooling and Finding Educational Alternatives***

Diane Murphy taught in public schools for 30 years before she retired early to build BigFish, an innovative self-directed learning community in Dover, NH. I had the pleasure of speaking with Diane at the FreeCoast Festival and of hearing her presentation on BigFish. We sat down to discuss her past experience, current efforts and passion for self-directed learning and integrating teens into the real world.

Discussion:

Diane's path out of public school

properties of natural learning

physical costs of school

A new model for a self-directed learning center

Cooperation and competition can work together

Community networking for real-world education and training

How teens move from a school to a self-directed learning community

Outcomes for self-directed learners

Building online portfolios

How public school teachers are kept in line

A Follow-Up Show With Diane:
A Year of Adjustment – With Diane Murphy of BigFish [PODCAST #705]

The Ideas In Action Summit

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Please Support School Sucks

School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

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Originally Released September 18, 2017 As "[PODCAST #513] Building Self Directed Learning Communities (With Diane Murphy)"
Support School Sucks: Higher Education For Self-Liberation

**14. The Hero's Journey For Teens** Jun 13, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #14 of 50

***Theme Two: Leaving Institutional Schooling and Finding Educational Alternatives***

(but also for everyone else)
Matt Beaudreau returns to map out a hero's journey for teens. We'll also discuss how students are guided through this process at Acton Academy, and how homeschooling and unschooling parents can help nurture this process in their own children.

Plus much more on

goals, systems, habits and routines

self-knowledge and challenge

resisting cultural/political/peer "brainwashing"

Matt is an in-demand and provocative education speaker and consultant, and a personal development coach to people all around the world. He is also the founder of the Acton Academy in Placer, CA; Acton is a program of self-directed learning with over 100 locations around the world.

**About Acton Academy Placer**
Acton Academy Placer is an Educational Resource Center for students grades K-12 in Northern California. The Center provides a collaborative environment for students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, engage in daily Socratic discussions, drive their own academic paths, and create opportunities for themselves around their individuals skills and passions.

Links to Matt:

MattBeaudreau.com

www.ActonAcademy.org

https://www.instagram.com/mattbeaudreau

https://www.facebook.com/mattbeaudreau

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-beaudreau-071a5b99/

The Ideas In Action Summit

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Use the coupon code **independence** to can get it for 30% off
Learn more here.

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School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

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Originally Released January 25, 2021 As "The Hero’s Journey For teens – With Matt Beaudreau [PODCAST #698]]"
Support School Sucks: Higher Education For Self-Liberation

**13. The Micro School Movement** Jun 11, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #13 of 50

***Theme Two: Leaving Institutional Schooling and Finding Educational Alternatives***

Kerry McDonald returns to discuss the growing Micro-School movement. What is a Micro-School and why should we be talking about them? (and why am I excited about a school?)

We'll also cover blended learning, the question of screen time for children, and a thriving micro-school network in Arizona Kerry recently profiled in Forbes Magazine. That article is called How Micro-School Networks Expand Learning Options

Kerry McDonald is a Senior Education Fellow at FEE and author of Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom. She is also an adjunct scholar at The Cato Institute and a regular Forbes contributor. Kerry has a B.A. in economics from Bowdoin College and an M.Ed. in education policy from Harvard University. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts with her husband and four children. You can check out her podcast LibertaED here.

**Kerry's Book:**
Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom

And please bookmark and use this link for your Amazon shopping: Shop With Us

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School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

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Originally Released November 27, 2019 As "The Micro-School Movement – with Kerry McDonald [PODCAST #632]"
Support School Sucks: Higher Education For Self-Liberation

**12. Purpose and Passion-Driven Education** Jun 09, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #12 of 50

***Theme Two: Leaving Institutional Schooling and Finding Educational Alternatives***

Connor Boyack is a home-educating parent and the founder of the Libertas Institute. He joins me to discuss his book Passion-Driven Education, which is definitely a nice companion piece for the School Sucks Podcast.

**Discussed:**

School is a tool for social transformation; education is a tool for self-transformation

Addressing Concerns: Structure, "assessment," and protection in the homeschool environment

Is the process of critical inquiry more important than the actual information gained?

Minimally Invasive Education

"hackschooling"

A Star Wars story about child motivation

**The Books:**
Passion-Driven Education
The Tuttle Twins Set by Connor Boyack: The Law, The Golden Rule, Miraculous Pencil, Education Vacation

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School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

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Originally Released January 31, 2017 As "[PODCAST] #473: Passion-Driven Education (With Connor Boyack)"
Support School Sucks: Higher Education For Self-Liberation

**11. Setting Children Free (In An Age of Mass Panic)** Jun 08, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #11 of 50

***Theme Two: Leaving Institutional Schooling and Finding Educational Alternatives***

Lenore Skenazy was one of the first people to sound the alarm on the dangers of *safety*. Now, two decades into the "century of the safe" - where safety is the trump card in almost every policy argument - we must recognize that letting go of overprotectiveness is an important step towards treating young people with more dignity.

**2013:** Lenore joins me to discuss the Free Range Kids movement, and strategies for reaching out to helicopter parents. We also explore the trends that have led to the panic, paranoia and over-protective nature of so many parents today.

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Originally Released January 20, 2013 As "Lenore Skenazy - Free Range Kids [PODCAST #190]"
Support School Sucks: Higher Education For Self-Liberation

**10. When Mainstream America Learned College Is A Scam** Jun 05, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #10 of 50

***Theme One: The Real Problems With Public School***

This show concludes our first section of shows on the problem of institutional schooling. We're told the primary purpose of K-12 is get into a good college. So in this installment we'll use a single news story about corruption to create a comprehensive argument against the content, culture, and cost of *higher indoctrination.*(for most people)

Scott Hambrick and I discuss the so-called biggest scandal in the history of higher education! But what will the public ultimately learn from the Operation Varsity Blues revelations? And what will change?

Scott is a home educating parent, entrepreneur, strength coach and the creator (Reader In Chief) of OnlineGreatBooks.com.

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School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

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Originally Released March 15, 2019 As "COLLEGE SCAM! – Mainstream America Learns A New Phrase [PODCAST #603]"

Support School Sucks: Higher Education For Self-Liberation

**9. Who Controls Our Children?** Jun 02, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #9 of 50

***Theme One: The Real Problems With Public School***

This final show - thoroughly remastered - about the problems of K-12 public schooling, is primarily focused on the recent dark history, Outcome-Based Education, how it was applied to the children of the 90s, and how it has been "perfected" since then.

**Original Notes:** Today's show is a followup to the previous conversation with Dave Smith - a deeper level of exploration of the history of school, covering a longer period of time, and showing the progression of control over the public mind.

(Edited Audio from Brett on Free Man Beyond the Wall)
Pete's question: what you believe is the biggest conspiracy behind turning the schools into the indoctrination centers they are today?

It's hard to pick just one.

**A STORY OF INCREASING LEVERAGE OF SCIENTIFIC MANAGERS (AND BOILED FROGS)**

**1840s-1930s**

Mandatory public education in America began as part of a quest for a perfect society with the Puritans in Massachusetts who were seeking a religious utopia

Prussian system replaces the predictability of slavery in a labor force, and to standardize immigrants to that predictability - social and industrial harmony

The dramatic shift from family and community-based approach to an industrial, collectivist approach - there's no going back

This quest was soon taken up by Progressives and democratic socialists who were seeking a secular utopia

"So a precedent is set, collectivism is ratcheted up at every stage
and with every turn of the screw, the system becomes more accepted. It become harder and harder to imagine society without it and all that it does becomes...fine, and once it's fine it becomes invisible."

**1930s-1970s**

Louis Alber, head of National Recovery Act New York 1933: “Russia and Germany are attempting to compel a new order by means typical of their nationalism – compulsion. The United States will do it by moral (per)suasion. Of course we expect some opposition, but the principles of the New Deal must be carried to the youth of the nation. We expect to accomplish by education what dictators in Europe are seeking to do by compulsion and force.”

Teacher training (1967-1974)run by a nexus private foundations, academia, corporations, think tanks and govt agencies, coordinated through the US Office of Education (three examples below)

Designing Education for the Future, by Education Department says education is a means to achieve economic and social goals of a national character

Behavior Science Teacher Education Project (1968 Michigan State University) predicts "chemical experimentation" on children?

Bloom's Taxonomy of Educational Objectives as "a tool to classify the ways that individuals are to act , think or feel as the result of some unit of instruction"

**1980s-Present**

Outcomes-Based Education and the *remediation* of improper thoughts

Peg Luksik "Who Controls Our Children"

student profiling and data-sharing

The Dark Side Of Nationwide School Tests By B.K. Eakman: "if behavior-modification curricula can be brought into the classroom as legitimate learning material; if teachers, or even bona fide mental-health workers, can use the schools to "treat" youngsters for real or imagined psychological problems - then are schools really educational institutions or day-care clinics?"

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School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

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Originally Released February 12, 2020 As "[PODCAST #642] With Every Turn of the Screw…"
Support School Sucks: Higher Education For Self-Liberation

**8. The Anti-Gun Play** May 31, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #8 of 50

***Theme One: The Real Problems With Public School***

March 27, 2018 - This past weekend hundreds of thousands of ill-informed teenagers participated in a nationwide accidental fundraiser for the NRA called #MarchForOurLives.

Thaddeus Russell returns to examine the bigger picture. We'll discuss the fetish-ization of children by both the left and the right. Other themes include ***politics as a performance on a stage,*** dangers of absolutist thinking, Manichaeism (the age-old religious idea of fighting the battle against the darkness on the side of the light, and the comfort and illusion of moral superiority that idea brings), why this phenomenon does NOT require "crisis actors," and the harnessing of teenage angst towards political ends.

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Originally Released March 27, 2018 As "[PODCAST] #552: #ENOUGH – With Thaddeus Russell"
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**7. The Schools of the Plague. The Plague of the Schools.** May 26, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #7 of 50

***Theme One: The Real Problems With Public School***

How will the draconian "safety" measures from the past pandemic (or maybe a future pandemic) affect school children? These measures are new vectors for punishment and surveillance, and they will certainly remain in place beyond any health crisis.

Jay, The Honest Teacher returns almost exactly one year after our last conversation. I asked him to offer some up close and personal accounts (from students and from his observations) about how institutional schooling has become even more of a dystopian nightmare.

Unfortunately now more than ever, school continues to make good on its promise to mold children into "good" citizens. But is there a silver lining? Jay says yes.

The Honest Teacher:
On Minds
On Facebook
On Patreon

Our Previous Conversations:
The Honest Teacher Speaks (Part 2 of 2) [PODCAST #644]

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School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

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Originally Released February 15, 2021 As "[PODCAST #701] 2021: Now School Sucks For Everyone"
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**6. The State of the Schools. The Schools of The State.** May 24, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #6 of 50

***Theme One: The Real Problems With Public School***

The story of mass public schooling: a shocking intrusion takes place, and then it becomes normalized, and then it becomes invisible, until another shocking intrusion takes place. And so on...

Dave Smith and I discuss a brief history of this intrusion into family and community life, and then we assess the condition of public school and college, as they were, heading into the pandemic (where they definitely didn't get any better).

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Originally Released February 10, 2020 As "[PODCAST #641] Brett On Part of the Problem With Dave Smith"
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**5. How Schools Crush Creativity and Critical Thinking** May 22, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #5 of 50

***Theme One: The Real Problems With Public School***

Dr. Peter Gray was a research professor of psychology at Boston College, and author of Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life. Peter serves on the Organizing team for the Alliance of Self-Directed-Education. He also runs a blog on Psychology Today called Freedom to Learn, where he regularly explains and promotes self-directed education from a variety of angles.

Today Peter and I discuss creativity and critical thinking - two skills we agree are left underdeveloped (or even damaged) by public school and college.

On critical thinking, Peter has referenced studies and surveys that reveal about 50% of employers are dissatisfied with entry-level, college graduate employees (PayScale Inc.) and that college does little to improve higher level thinking (Academically Adrift: Limited Learning On College Campuses - 2011).

On creativity, Peter wrote a piece called **As Children’s Freedom Has Declined, So Has Their Creativity.** Peter informs us that there are actually quantitative studies, including the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking, that show a marked decline in children's creative capacity since the 1980s. We discuss the causes of this decline in detail.
We finish with a friendly disagreement (then agreement) on the educational merits of video games.

In part one we discussed the biological foundations of self-education. **LISTEN HERE**
In part three we'll talk about Peter's vision for self-directed education in the future. **LISTEN HERE**

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Originally Released February 13, 2018 As "[PODCAST #543] Peter Gray (Part Two) – School’s Impact On Creativity and Critical Thinking"
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**4. School Has Robbed Young People of Their "Why"** May 20, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #4 of 50

***Theme One: The Real Problems With Public School***

In 2019, teen anxiety and depression levels had reached startling new highs.
Then 2020 happened.

Dan Sanchez is the Director of Content at the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) and the editor-in-chief of FEE.org. Dan is also the main writing coach for our friends at Praxis.

He joins me for a fresh take on a familiar problem: young people are drowning and purposelessness, searching for meaning. Political operators, tech giants, and disingenuous marketers are happy to tap into that desire and angst for their own exploitative purposes, offering young people a pre-packaged "why."

John Taylor Gatto said

“Whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual, not a conformist; it should furnish you with an original spirit with which to tackle the big challenges; it should allow you to find values which will be your roadmap through life; it should make you spiritually rich, a person who loves whatever you are doing, wherever you are, whomever you are with; it should teach you what is important, how to live and how to die.”

Instead schools are teaching dependence. And schools are producing mobs.

Students are not given adequate encouragement in authoring their own lives, with too many of them surrendering to the K-12 to college to work pipeline. Along the way, they're handed causes to embrace without question, and thus made useful to various manipulators who don't care about them.

Dan and I discuss how these young people can find their way, to rebuild their rudders and develop their own “why." Dan offers advice to both parents and educators.

Related Articles by Dan Sanchez:
School Has Robbed Young People of Their “Why”

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Originally Released November 12, 2019 As "School Has Robbed Young People of Their “Why” [PODCAST #630]"
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**3. A Powerful Voice In the FIght For School Choice** May 18, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, #3 of 50

***Theme One: The Real Problems With Public School***

Corey DeAngelis is the director of school choice at Reason Foundation. He is also an adjunct scholar at Cato Institute.

He returns to discuss some very promising developments for school choice and educational freedom.

A great opportunity is upon us, but it's likely the real fight is just beginning.

Corey and I will also talk about the mindset and strategy that he brings to that fight.

**Mentioned: The Underground History of American Education** (Video Playlist)

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Originally Released September 14, 2020 As "[PODCAST #675] Corey DeAngelis - Educational Freedom (if you can keep it)"
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**2. The Bi-Partisan Conspiracy Against Parents and Students** May 15, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, # 2 of 50

***Theme One: The Real Problems With Public School***

School decision-making is moving further and further away from parental control, supervision, and awareness. And this is not a new problem; it's been gradually but steadily *progressing* for over a century. It's a history worth knowing, because it affected all of us.

This episode examines the origins of, and ideologies and motives behind controversial (yet bi-partisan!) school legislation like Common Core and No Child Left Behind, and similar attempts at centralizing control in 1989, and 1967, and 1933, and 1903, depending on where you start the story.

**Mentioned: The Underground History of American Education** (Video Playlist)

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School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

Your support keeps the show alive, which keeps us at the top of the options for education podcasts and leads to new people discovering our work. Please help us continue to spread this important message further!

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Originally Released August 6, 2012 As "Episode 155: No Child Left Behind (and Other Bi-Partisan Education Conspiracies)"
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**1. The Teacher Who Stood Up and Spoke Out** May 12, 2022
The Essential School Sucks, # 1 of 50

***Theme One: The Real Problems With Public School***

A monologue about the courageous life and work of John Taylor Gatto, and the story of how he changed my life.
How many teachers reluctantly acknowledge the failure of mass compulsory schooling? How many become disheartened but then relegate themselves to quiet conformity? How many hunt for the villains, but simply wind up sniveling behind the closed doors of the teachers’ lounge, choosing to blame children and parents?
If you've worked in or around the public schools - or even if you simply endured the requisite 15,000 hours as a student - you're likely able to form some rough estimations for these questions.
Yet how powerful is the voice of the teacher with the conviction to take action and speak out?
In 1991, at the dawn of the information age, John Taylor Gatto was named the New York State Teacher of the Year. Within months of receiving that recognition he resigned, quite publicly, in the op-ed section of the Wall Street Journal. At this time, John was in his mid-fifties. He had a family. He had little savings, and he resided on the notoriously not-affordable island of Manhattan. It was a bold move to say the least, but it marked the beginning of a beautiful new career in education.
And he inspired many others to cut their own divergent paths.

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School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college).

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Originally Released November 1, 2018 As "Episode 584: Thank You John Taylor Gatto"

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The Essential School Sucks - Introduction May 11, 2022

An introduction to the 50 most essential episodes - curated, categorized, and sequenced for a new audience.

These shows will progress through five core topics (approximately 10 shows each)

The Real Problems With School
Leaving School and Finding Educational Alternatives
The Principles of Critical Thinking and Self-Directed Learning
Personal Development
Information Literacy

If you...

have growing concerns and frustrations about institutional schooling at all levels
have children currently struggling through this experience
are looking for alternatives and support
are ready to challenge yourself

...then welcome.

School Sucks is a podcast, You Tube channel, and web community empowering parents and self-directed learners.
For 12 years we've promoted freedom in education, and we've called out covert indoctrination.

We discuss

educational alternatives like homeschooling and unschooling,
career freedom without college
the principles of self-directed learning
the strategies of critical thinking/information literacy
and the rewards of self-knowledge/personal development

This is NOT a show about school reform.
The schools will not improve.
Higher education will not improve.
The politics around these institutions will not improve.

Only we can improve.

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732: GRADUATION. Nov 10, 2021

The final episode of the School Sucks Podcast.

After a lengthy monologue about the past and the future, the audience speaks, at the Midwest Peace and Liberty Fest. MCed by Alex "Young Alex" Bell. Organized and introduced by Joe Moutard.

This message has never been more relevant, and our work continues on in new forms! Please stay involved.JOIN THE UN-IVERSITY!

You are granted access to our Un-iversity private community (and all of its clubs!) when you purchase the downloadable version of The Ideas Into Action Summit. Visit sspuniversity.com/ideasintoaction to learn more about the presenters, topics, and bonus materials . Use the coupon code myspace.
OR...BRAND NEW!
Get Access to Our Un-iversity Discord Community, Our Full List of Clubs, and Invitations to Our 3x-A-Week Discussion Groups - Un-iversity Community Membership (Monthly)

THE CONTENT CONTINUES (for supporting listeners)
School Sucks was one of the longest running liberty-minded podcasts on the web, and the only one completely devoted to the issue of education (versus public school and college). Your continued support will help us improve our online presence, curate and refine our vast media library, and amplify our message to reach new people searching for answers and waiting to discover self-directed education.
EASIEST OPTION: please bookmark and use this link for your Amazon shopping: Shop With Us

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Support Us On PATREON Stay in the loop. Pledge $1 per content item and access a large collection Patron-only audios and videos. Get new episodes of The Discomfort Zone, Mindset & Mastery, Book Clubs, Film Clubs, and Un-iversity Discussion Groups.

Join the A/V Club If you're looking for more School Sucks content, the A/V Club option grants you access to a bonus content section with 400+ hours of exclusive audio and video, archived episodes, and behind-the-scenes material.

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[preview] Degeneration Theory Aug 21, 2020

Free Bonus Friday
Enjoy (and you will enjoy) a snip of one of our bonus productions for supporting listeners, including The Discomfort Zone, In Pursuit of Utopia, Picture of the Month Club, and other older selections.
Today: In Pursuit of Utopia Episode 11 - Fabianism and Degeneration
Full Show description - 19th century Victorian Era England was plagued by fears of moral, social, and biological degeneration. And these fears are making a big comeback.
Released August 21, 2020 on Patreon + A/V Club.
Full Show: https://www.patreon.com/posts/40698425
ATTENTION JOB-SEEKERS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND LEADERS WHO WANT TO LEVERAGE THE TOOLS FOR SUCCESS - Get Autonomy's 19 Essential Skills For Success (Not Taught In School)

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[preview] Thoughts On the Moon Landing? Contra Cruise AMA Jul 24, 2020

Enjoy (and you will enjoy) a snip of one of our bonus productions for supporting listeners, including The Discomfort Zone, In Pursuit of Utopia, Picture of the Month Club, and other older selections.
Today: My Speech and AMA On the Contra Cruise
Full Show description - This is audio of my two presentations on the Contra Cruise, including a speech, an impromptu workshop and an Ask Me Anything.
My speech was written as the cruise progressed and it was delivered in two parts later in the week. It was assembled from thoughts and feelings I gathered from the dinner conversations I had over the week, and it covered a set of experiences, mostly related to the crucial communication of libertarian ideas, that I felt would be useful for the attendees.
Topics Include:
Thinking Fast and Slow, Emotions are a means of discovery, the Trump election mystery solved, people overwhelmed by information, blowing up the bridges of connection, getting people to say yes vs getting them to acknowledge why they're saying no, the NPC meme, lessons from dating, School Sucks Across America, measuring freedom in different areas of life, fallacies of addition and division, and the moon landing?
Released Nov 1, 2018 on Patreon + A/V Club.
Full Show: patreon.com/posts/my-speech-and-on-22400201
ATTENTION JOB-SEEKERS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND LEADERS WHO WANT TO LEVERAGE THE TOOLS FOR SUCCESS - Get Autonomy's 19 Essential Skills For Success (Not Taught In School)

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[preview] January 2017: The Wars To Come Jun 12, 2020

Enjoy (and you will enjoy) a snip of one of our bonus productions for supporting listeners, including The Discomfort Zone, In Pursuit of Utopia, Picture of the Month Club, and other older selections.
Three men stare into a crystal ball (and into the abyss).
[BONUS] Podcastmasters’ Liberty Masterclass – Privilege Check, Listener Q&A (Part 3 of 3)
On January 20th, the Podcastmasters reconvened for a four-hour free-flowing inauguration-inspired discussion dubbed "Ow, My Inaugural Balls."
What does the future hold? What concerns to people have about their future in Trump's America?
Released January 27, 2017 on Patreon + A/V Club.
Full Show: Support Us On Patreon

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[preview] What Is No Country For Old Men? May 29, 2020

Free Bonus Friday
Enjoy (and you will enjoy) a snip of one of our bonus productions for supporting listeners, including The Discomfort Zone, In Pursuit of Utopia, Picture of the Month Club, and other older selections.
Picture of the Month Club - May 2020 - No Country For Old Men
Installment #7 (AUDIO, 116 MINUTES)
"The crime you see now, it's hard to even take its measure. It's not that I'm afraid of it. I always knew you had to be willin' to die to even do this job. But, I don't want to push my chips forward and go out and meet somethin' I don't understand. A man would have to put his soul at hazard. He'd have to say: 'O.K., I'll be part of this world.' - Sheriff Bell
PICTURE OF THE MONTH CLUB is a monthly series featuring Dutch - a delightful, insightful and successful film maker who wants to teach you the grammar and logic of cinema. Many will remember Dutch from the CINEMAnufacturing series.
Released May 26, 2020 on Patreon, A/V Club and SubscribeStar.

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The Essential School Sucks, #24 of 50

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Originally November 20th, 2016 As “[PODCAST #461] Speed and Politics (Part One) - Rules For Radicals"

The Essential School Sucks, #23 of 50

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Originally Released July 19th, 2017 As “[PODCAST #504] Unenclosed Children and Self-Directed Learning – With Kerry McDonald"

The Essential School Sucks, #22 of 50

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Originally Released July 9th, 2019 As “[PODCAST #619] Filling the Trough - With Scott Hambrick"

The Essential School Sucks, #21 of 50

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Originally Released March 25th, 2018 As “[PODCAST] #551: What It Means To Be Educated – Blake Boles"

The Essential School Sucks, #20 of 50

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Originally Released January 16th, 2021 “Plan B” With Zak Slayback [PODCAST #696]

The Essential School Sucks, #19 of 50

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Originally Released October 10th, 2016 as "[PODCAST] #454: Building A Credential Better Than the College Degree, With Zak Slayback"

The Essential School Sucks, #18 of 50

Unschoolers and Reading

A Mindset For Unschooling

FOR PEOPLE EXPLORING OR STARTING UNSCHOOLING

Pam's 3 Characteristics of Real and Effective Learning

CHALLENGES/CONCERNS ABOUT UNSCHOOLING

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Both Shows Originally Released in 2018

The Essential School Sucks, #17 of 50

Pat's Personal History of Unschooling

A Mindset For Unschooling

The Language of Unschooling

The Professional Rejection of John Holt's Ideas

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Originally Released November 14, 2018 As "Pat Farenga – The Evolution of Unschooling [PODCAST #586]"

The Essential School Sucks, #16 of 50

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Originally Released October 27, 2017 As "[PODCAST] #520: Circle School Roundtable (With Tony Myers and Over 20 Young Self-Educators)"

The Essential School Sucks, #15 of 50

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Originally Released September 18, 2017 As "[PODCAST #513] Building Self Directed Learning Communities (With Diane Murphy)"

The Essential School Sucks, #14 of 50

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Originally Released January 25, 2021 As "The Hero’s Journey For teens – With Matt Beaudreau [PODCAST #698]]"

The Essential School Sucks, #13 of 50

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Originally Released November 27, 2019 As "The Micro-School Movement – with Kerry McDonald [PODCAST #632]"

The Essential School Sucks, #12 of 50

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Originally Released January 31, 2017 As "[PODCAST] #473: Passion-Driven Education (With Connor Boyack)"

The Essential School Sucks, #11 of 50

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