The End of Education?

"Public education does not serve a public. It creates a public. And in creating the right kind of public, the schools contribute toward strengthening the spiritual basis of the American Creed. That is how Jefferson understood it, how Horace Mann understood it, how John Dewey understood it, and in fact, there is no other way to understand it. The question is not, Does or doesn't public schooling create a public? The question is, What kind of public does it create? A conglomerate of self-indulgent consumers? Angry, soulless, directionless masses? Indifferent, confused citizens? Or a public imbued with confidence, a sense of purpose, a respect for learning, and tolerance? The answer to this question has nothing whatever to do with computers, with testing, with teacher accountability, with class size, and with the other details of managing schools. The right answer depends on two things, and two things alone: the existence of shared narratives and the capacity of such narratives to provide an inspired reason for schooling" (Postman, The End of Education).

What kind of public do schools in the twenty-first century create? Keeping in mind that you are private school students (though some of you have attended public school), make your own observation about the type of citizenry our modern schools aim to create...and actually do create. 

You might think about issues such as current events and social activism, as well as the ways school may have changed since 1995 when Postman wrote this book. 

Minimum word count: 300 words and include text support from Postman (you may include text evidence from other sources in addition if you wish). 
Post at least one reply to a class member (by Thursday 10/1). 

*Update: this did not post during my lunch period when I tried to post it, so the first post is not due until Wednesday, 9/30.