Week 3: Assignment A-Finn: Literacy with an Attitude

 

Literacy with an Attitude

Educating Working-Class Children In Their Own Self-Interest

P.J. Finn 1999

Talking Points

1. In the opening sentence Finn gives a bit of a historical picture related to literacy. Literacy of the HAVES and illiteracy of the HAVE-NOTs, power came to mind immediately. Power in the form of technology (printing press) and currency (taxes on political literature).  In contemporary times there is still a divide of the HAVES and the HAVE-NOTS where literacy is concerned, Finn concludes that although there is illiteracy among the HAVE-NOTS, increasing their literacy may lead to fear among the HAVES resulting in liability.  Wait, what?? I was confused...I re-read that statement and read further I was relieved to know what he was saying was that Although you can make a group larger by adding to it but, it's vital to recognize that clumping individuals together without accounting for major differences such as literacy does not help to educate the HAVE-NOTS who have been consumed by the more powerful group, it still keeps them powerless.  This is happening in present-day education. 

2. Finn articulates some of the historical social dynamics and mechanisms which have led to present day education.  Oppositional identity, pretend-school model, discourse of schools, both traditional and progressive methods of education are those mechanisms mentioned.  Finn points out the thought process of contemporary social scientists that say, "if we can understand these mechanisms, we can change them and bring ourselves to a different place, one where there is greater equity and justice."  A requirement is that both the rich (literate) and the poor (illiterate) receive empowering education and powerful literacy by way of those mentioned mechanisms. 

3. The final paragraph sums up the reading. Finn challenges, " Those who are the smartest and work hardest go furthest?" The question is a bit obvious after I finished reading his work.  In these early chapters of his book, he goes on the explain that "When students begin school in so many different systems, the odds are set for them." 

I have constructed a visual display of the left to right description of some of the concepts in Finn's text.