Finn: Connections

In Literacy with an Attitude, Finn argues that the existing social system remains the same as long as working-class schools continue domesticating students having oppositional identity by simply giving non-demanding, mechanical work with little decision making that is "appropriate preparation for wage labor" (Finn, pp.10). In addition to the quality of academic work at working-class schools, Finn describes the attitude of teachers toward students. Controlling students is the focus of classroom instruction, and the teachers often make derogatory remarks such as students are "getting dumber every year" or "Shut up" (Finn, pp.11).

The descriptions Finn provides in his book mirror Kozol's article, Still Separate, still Unequal, in which he criticizes Skinnerian approaches and educators' attitude that disempower students. Utilizing management techniques for factory employees theorized by Frederick Taylor, Mr. Endicott keeps the students "under a tight control" to force them to obey. Similarly, other schools demands precise acts such as stepping together in a straight line when students walk in a hallway. Uncovering practices in inner-city schools, Kozol argues that "Childhood is not merely basic training for utilitarian adulthood."

Finn believes that teachers can help students realize education as "a potent weapons" (pp.xi) and suggests that teachers to become transforming intellectuals who can empower children by helping "the powerless as a class so they can stand up for themselves" as Paulo Freire has done (pp.172) and by helping students "question the truth" as Freirean teacher, Robert Peterson has done (pp.176).