Idiot Nation Michael Moore Summary

Who's To Blame

Is the education system beyond repair in the United States? In recent years, many American citizens have pondered over this question in hopes of gaining some type of clarity. Along with this question many also wonder what is the reason for the decline in academic performance show by today`s students. In Michael Moore’s piece, "Idiot Nation" he addresses the concepts that he feels led up to the decline in academic performance shown by student of today. He goes on to detail how governmental influence may be a contributing factor in why student`s are becoming less educated thus less prepared for life in society. The question that now presents itself is, is the lack of funding for education systems the reason for the decline in performance

academically? In my evaluation of this question I have concluded that government funding definitely plays a role in the decline but is accompanied by many other factors. Three stand out reasons have lead me to this conclusion. These three include the conditions in which many students are forced to learn, social standings reflecting the education one receives and the many distraction that adolescents face.
The first concluding factor is that of the conditions in which students are being instructed in.

We read in Moore’s work of how government funding towards education came to its end in the Richard Nixon era in 1974. The Nixon Administration would change the rules surrounding government funding for school libraries, stipulating that federal education money would now be given out in the form of a "Block Grant" in which the state would control the money that would have rather gone to school libraries directly, giving the state right to use it however they chose. With this new ordinance in place a majority of states and schools would not use the grant to fund for library materials. With this in mind Moore would then go on to question whether political figures, the same ones who refuse to fund education adequately in America should be ballistic regarding how students in America have fallen behind to other countries in test scores. This statement by Moore proves to be true when you look at conditions that surround urban school today which include crowded classrooms left with no heat in the winter, and no air conditioning in the summer, desks and chairs that are old mismatched and broken and tattered books published as late as 1980s or earlier. In many cases, students have to learn from textbooks whose content is outdated factually and theoretically and which have offensive stereotypes. With these compelling element their is no wonder student can not fully comprehend classroom

instructions.

The second concluding factor is that of the social status limiting the type of education one receives.

Social status can be defined as the position or rank of a person or group, within their society. Social status can be gained through a multitude of ways such as the career field one is in, the amount of community involvement they display or by a persons financial standing. Students of course, not having a surmountable amount of status rely on their parents. An example of this could be “ the working class schools” in which most of the student parents have blue-collar jobs who are below the federal poverty level ( at or below $12,000 or less). In these schools students receive an education that is far more mediocre compared to the students whose families make a larger income in that the higher statues students receive an education that prepares them to be independently minded and creative while the low status student learning to memorize and work to be able to follow directions. In Jean Anyon essay “From Social Class And The Hidden Curriculum Of Work” she assesses this theory of social class discrimination. Anyon examines the type of learning and objectives focused on in 5 different school which represent 5 different statues of families in society. In Anyon’s examination she discovered that the students whose family has a low social status receive a more command and follow type of instruction in which any command not followed is reinforced by punishment. On the other hand

students who’s family has a high social status receive a more discussion based education, in which students get, more say so as to what they learn and more freedom to express themselves. This harsh reality would coincide with Michael Moore`s depiction of the education system today in which students receive a lackluster amount of attention, out dated materials and are stigmatized with only being good enough to follow commands instead of make the commands.
The third concluding factor regards the many distractions that adolescents face. There is no question that students today face a lot of distractions in life that hinders their academic performance whether it be with technology, working jobs or playing sports. A distraction that many students are facing now though are with schools themselves. Moore discusses this in detail when he tells of how many different school districts choose to endorse products in an effort to receive extra financial support for academics. A prime example of this would be vending machines packed with Dr.Pepper, books with Coca-Cola logos displayed on them and school days where Pepsi is celebrated (Pepsi Day). Though this idea may seem to be in good spirits it can prove to be detrimental to a student learning ability. More and more educational facilities across the globe are partnering up with brands such as “Coca-Cola,” “Pepsi,” “Dr.Pepper” and “Pizza Hut.” Along with it being distracting to be constantly enticed by colorful logos and sugary products it can also serves as a negative heath influence for student. Young adults are at a very influential age, where if they develop a desire for a stimulant like caffeine or carbonated sugar it could become a big part of their lives and even become a thought to be necessity for them. With the child obesity rate on the rise one can only wonder if this endorsement is doing more harm than good.
It goes without saying that having a good education is essential to getting ahead in life. Many would agree that it gives people the independence as well as confidence they need to over come any hurdle that they may come across in life. That is why it is so vital that we find a solution to the many issues surrounding the decline in performance in academics and thus the lacking in preparedness for the future experienced by our youth. As generations come to an end and new ones begin, the world is going to be left in the hand of the next generation, that is why we have to put a stronger emphasis on educating our youth or else we could see a collapse in our societal structure. The strongest part of Michael Moore’s essay was that that student today must become more independent and less subservient. This doesn’t mean that students should rebel against any and all authority but be willing to fight or stand for change when there is a discrepancy that needs to be addressed. In the end it going to take a collective effort from all involved, the government, communities and the students themselves to bring the education up to par in the United.

These harsh reality would coincide with the story of many people who could not get a quality education because of where they live or how financially stable their family is. An example of this is the case of Malcolm X who was did not have a good education and thus could not read un
Rather than take responsibility themselves for the decline these officials choose to blame and demean school educators instead.