Rethinking The American School

 After reading Chapter 2 of The Broken Model and watching A short History of American Schools, I found myself thinking about how much of our education system exists because it's what we've always known. Before this reading, I questioned why school is set up the way it is. Both the video and article made me realize that just because something has been done the same way for years doesn't necessarily mean it's the best way to help students learn. One quote that really stood out to me was when Khan writes that "education is an invention, a work in progress."  I love this because I think it is so true. I feel like we see this in society now more than ever. I know people have feelings about charter schools but many of these schools have options for students to learn in different ways. Showing that education can change and that change can still produce good students.

The chapter made me think a lot about The MET School in Providence. The MET takes such a different approach to education. Instead of focusing on standardized tests and lectures, students learn through hands-on projects, internships, and real-world experiences. Their educational philosophy is centered on personalized learning and helping students discover their interests and strengths, rather than expecting every student to fit into the same mold, the MET recognizes that students learn in different ways and at different speeds. I think nontraditional school models like the MET show that when students are given opportunities to connect learning to their own lives, they are more engaged. It really reinforces Khan's idea that education should evolve to meet the needs of today's learners instead of expecting students to adapt to an outdated system. If you are unfamiliar with the MET you should check it out. THE MET SCHOOL

Another idea that really stuck with me was Khan's argument that our education system wasn't designed to meet the needs of today's students. Things like grade levels, class periods, and standardized tests have become so normal that we rarely stop to ask if they actually work. Khan argues that "Today's world needs a workforce of creative, curious, and self-directed lifelong learners," and I couldn't agree more. The world has changed so much, but in many ways our classrooms haven't. A test can not show how creative a student is, it can only show how well a student can memorize information and recite it. The video touched on how school was set up for students to join and match the work force, but even the work force has changed but most schools have stayed the same!

The video made those ideas feel even more real. It really showed that the educational system is broken. It shows that schools prepare us for the workforce. They even say, "Kids go to school to take our place," treating students like they are replacement bodies for society. Schools  do not reward problem-solving or creativity but instead reward the ability to follow directions and stay within the system. While watching the video, I also explored the comments section to see what other people thought. One comment really stood out to me because it compared school bells to lunch breaks in the workplace. Both workers and students are booked all morning, take a quick break for lunch and are back to work right after. It is just a workforce pipeline!

This chapter reminded me of Johnson's Privilege, Power, and Difference. Johnson talks about  how systems stay in place because people often accept them as "normal" without questioning who benefits from it or why it functions this way. Our education system has been around for so long that people think it's the only way school can work, but Khan wants us to think differently. Both authors encourage us to question systems.

As someone who works in college admissions and has built a career helping students access higher education. Every day I meet students with different backgrounds, learning styles, and life experiences. When I work with students I try to tell them the college essay is the most important part of the application because it's the only part where you can be you. The rest of the application is just tests and numbers but the essay is where students can really shine. Khan points this out when he writes that "Tests say little or nothing about a student's potential to learn a subject." That quote really stayed with me because I see students every day who have incredible resilience, and determination that can't always be measured by a standardized test.

Privilege, Power and Difference

 In the reading Privilege, Power, and Difference it really made me think about privilege and how it shows up in our everyday lives. One thing that really stood out to me was Johnson's point that our differences are not actually the problem. The real issue is that society places more value, and opportunities on certain groups over others. Due to society's treatment it really reinforced that inequality isn't just about individual choices, it's also about the systems that have been in place for a long time.

Another point that stuck with me was how privilege can be invisible to the people who have it. The quote “that privilege is often unrecognized due to a "luxury of obliviousness" or "epistemic privilege," Johnson explains that many people don't recognize their own advantages because they've always seen them as normal. I think this is something I reflected heavily on being a biracial person who can be white passing. Understanding the privileges I have compared to other biracial people who are not white passing. It reminded me that learning about privilege requires people to be open minded, as well as people need to be able to self-reflect in order to fully grasp privilege.

The last talking point for me was Johnson's point that we can't solve problems if we're afraid to talk about them. He argues that words like privilege, racism, and sexism often make people uncomfortable, but avoiding those conversations only allows inequality to continue. It is SO important to have uncomfortable conversations, this is how we can learn. If we do not say what is wrong, how can we change it? It is like the saying “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

Argument Statement:
Allan G. Johnson argues that inequality isn't caused by our differences but by systems of privilege and power that give some groups more advantages than others. He believes that recognizing how these systems work and understanding our own role within them is the first step toward creating real and lasting social change.

Introducing me :)

Hi everyone!

My name is Maya Suggs, and I’m a master’s student in the Youth Development program at Rhode Island College. I’m excited that this is my final class before graduating!

I work in Undergraduate Admissions at RIC, where I’ve been for the past five years. I recruit prospective students and am passionate about helping students, especially first-generation and underrepresented students, access higher education.

Outside of work and school, I enjoy working out, hiking, spending time with my dog, and watching reality TV. I’m also busy planning my April 2027 wedding, which has been a lot of fun!

I’m excited to meet everyone, learn from your experiences, and have a great summer together. I look forward to getting to know you all!