Hidden Intellectualism Summary

In today's society, Education has become primarily focused on intellect, information and technology. Unlike the past, obtaining a quality education has become increasingly expensive, with learning standards that cannot be met by current education systems. Many of these systems employ undereducated teachers and programs of studies that do not meet the standards and interests of their students. In response to these issues, authors’ Bob Herbert, Brent Staples, Gerald Graff and Mike Rose, speak of the importance of education and the improvements that must be made to increase the quality of programs, studies and interests of students within education systems. Firstly, educators can be very influential on their students ability to learn. Systems …show more content…
This topic is discussed heavily in “Hidden Intellectualism” an article written by Gerald Graff, a professor of English and Education at the University of Illinois. Many students find it easy to ask “what is the purpose of education and the importance of the material being taught?”. Other students feel as though they could learn more from on the job experience other than attending a formal institution of education; otherwise known as “street smart” by Graff. In his article “Hidden Intellectualism”, Graff explains students who learn hands on in the workforce will prove to be more prepared and conditioned than that of a simulated education of an institution. As Graff also states, “what doesn't occur to us, though is that schools and colleges might be at fault for missing the opportunity to tap into such street smarts and channel them into good academic work” (EAA 787). Schools must be able to take into consideration the interests of students to keep their priorities set and fully prepare them for a successful future. Graff’s article can be related to Bob Herbert's argument that “Our Schools Must Do Better”. Bob Herbert is an American journalist and columnist who wrote for The New York Times. Herbert explains in his article, schools have “placed great demands on its teachers and students” pushing them to learn harder and complex …show more content…
Students who feel education is not as beneficial to the career they are pursuing is an understatement. Increased studies should be considered by all students, this is shown in “Blue-Collar Brilliance” an article written by Mike Rose, an American education scholar and Research Professor of Social Research Methodology in the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies. In Rose’s article he state”intelligence is closely associated with formal education- the type of schooling a person has, how much and how long”(EAA 908). Rose states this because many people are under the assumption the more expensive or higher an institution you attend will guarantee a well paying and beneficial career. However, Brent Staples agrees with Rose, however makes the statement in his article, “the students who are becoming increasingly restive about the cost of a first-tier diploma, which now exceeds $120,000”(EAA 937). Staples states this because students who take on such debts are in great haste to obtain the necessary degrees to reach the career they want. Rose’s argument is unlike Staple’s argument as he displays the various routes of non-formal education through on the job training, growth, and progression through a company. Rose continues to state “our culture- in Cartesian fashion-separates the body from the mind, so that example,we assume that the use of

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