David Hursh and his understanding

In my research, I have found few scholars who were willing to dig as deep as David Hursh. Hursh's articles initially got me interested in the privatization of education, as I feel he was one of the few willing to come out and place on the line just what is at stakes here. In his article, "Neoliberalism and the Control of Teachers, Students, and Learning: The Rise of Standards, Standardization, and Accountability," Hursh makes some very interesting notes regarding the direction of education in this country. As he notes in point 13 of that essay, globalization has led to a drastic change in the significance given to education. As we have already become and constantly continue to develop into a more global society, thanks to such ideas as the internet, global markets, world banks, etc., education has become more and more geared toward contributing to the new global society. The most significant contribution to the global society is, of course, economic. Thus, as Hursh points out, education has become a means of engaging members of society toward a more prosperous economy, allowing all other important aspects of education to go by the wayside. It is for this reason that we see art and music programs cut first any time school budgets must be slimmed down. Standardized tests focus on reading, mathematics, history, and science, as these subjects have been taught by teachers forced to follow curriculuma out of fear of losing their jobs. The focus is on creating students who all know the same information, believe the same information, and can regurgitate the same information. It is through art which students learn to express themselves as individuals, whether that art be poetry, music, writing, or visual art. It seems fitting, then, that these would be the first programs cut, especially in a world where the powers-that-be seek uniformity amongst students. Truly, the idea of standards existing for education are in direct opposition to the fundamentals of education themselves. A world in which all students, no matter the race, socioeconomic status, or geographical region, are expected to meet the same standards is one in which it is every bit as hard to get ahead as it is behind. Thus, we are obviously on the path to uniformity, particularly among students. And uniformity, equality among all, is the basic principle which leads to socialism and/or communism, each and either a means to usher in a system of fascism. We are on our way. We still are in the earliest stages, though, and it is through individual research, a learning for ourselves, that we will learn truth. Mandated curriculums cannot be trusted. We must learn on our own and educate those around us, that we might know true history, true information, and not be subjected and subjugated to propanda which dispells truth and affirms lies and manipulation.