Hidden Intellectualism In Education

Education is very important in the development of our future. Scholars spent many years of their life in an educational environment because it provides the tools that scholars need to be successful on their own. However, educational institutions fail to encourage those who are “street” smart of their intellectual potential and undervalue them. Scholars will be more inclined to reach their intellectual potential if they were encouraged to practice with the subjects that interest them. Thus, “street” smart and “book” smart have different intellectual potential and they apply it differently to the subjects that interest them.

Every student is intellectual in many ways and the educational system needs to learn how to incorporate their intellectualism into a topic that interests them rather than disregards their minds. For example, those who have learning disabilities are not given much attention in order for them to succeed like any other student. Educational institutions throughout the U.S. share the same curriculum which is to teach students to process information in one way, but fail to teach how to apply them in real life situations. In the article, “Hidden Intellectualism”, an English professor Gerald Graff states in his opening paragraph, “… We associate the educated

life, the life of the mind, too narrowly and exclusively with subject and texts that we consider inherently weighty and academic.” Graff appeals to readers by stating a sad truth of that” street” smart kids are intellectual within what they know, instead of being intellect in schools. Educational institutions do not give those kids who are “street” smart a chance in schools and overlook their intellectual potential even though they have all they need to be taught how to make an intellectual approach. The students who perform well in schools are seen as being successful, but what about those who cannot keep up with the curriculum? Likewise, students who excel science, math, history, or english are likely to achieve a higher percentile on the standardized test or on the regents. However, students who may not good test takers in the classroom are disregarded by the institution. For example =, some people might not understand the emotional suffocation Holden has at becoming a young adult, feeling in the novel, “Cather in the Rye”, but connecting the aspects of the novel to our own personal life, we can understand what the main character was feeling. It will be very beneficial for students to connect each aspect of their life in a school environment.
In today’s educational system, young scholars are being trapped into a system that does not support their achievement which showcases the overwhelming need to conform to what the school system want the students to achieve. Gerald Graff in “Hidden Intellectualism” suggests that students will be more inclined to reach their intellectual potential if they were allowed to choose what interest them which enables them to think critically. Students will feel more connected to their schools if they curriculum derived them from developing focus which is centered on their interests. Students were viewed as “street” smart will have the tools they need to go into the world by making contributions from their strengths outside the classroom, similarity to Gerald Graff. The author defines how using his own intellect within sports, then what school taught him. Through, sports, he would get into arguments and debates, discussing his own critical perception. By understanding through his experiences, he became an intellectual by applying his co-curricular skills into his academic work. The main function of education is taking what is learned and apply it to real world situation. Thus, students who are either “street smart “ or “book smart” are applying their analytical skills without getting graded which does not exhibit whether they are smart or stupid.
The current educational system put more value on those who are “book smart” while undervaluing others.

Hence, the disregard of students who think differently, lessen the faith of the educational system and overlook the potential of the student of our future. By fixing the education curriculum and the perception of what is meant to be intellectual, we are able to see a better and open-minded educational system in the United States. The success of many students depends on their willingness and self-respect. So, if both the “book smart” and “street smart” are viewed equally and are an honor for their education or non-education capabilities, the possibility of their success will grow

significantly.