Everywhere All the Time: A New Deschooling Reader

by Matt Hern (Editor)

"If you are an unschooler, this book will be a joyful affirmation ... if you are still a little unclear about the history and philosophy of deschooling, here is a perfect introduction."--Kerlin Richter, Hip Mama Debates about education often revolve around standardized testing, taxes and funding, teacher certification—everything except how to best help kids develop learning skills. Everywhere All the Time presents an array of historical and contemporary alternatives to traditional schooling, demonstrating that children’s capacity to learn decreases as soon as they enter bureaucratic, institutional facilities. Census data in the United States alone places the number of home-schooled children at five hundred thousand. Trends point toward an increasing skepticism of the ability of public schools—and private ones, based on similar pedagogy—to give kids what they need to be healthy, self-directed life learners. Major themes in this book children’s self-directed learning, encouraging community-building and participation from parents in the learning process, critical thinking for active engagement and democratic self-governance, and alleviating the negative psychological effects of traditional schooling methods. It also includes the voices and artwork of alternatively schooled children themselves. From Leo Tolstoy, Ivan Illich, and Emma Goldman to John Taylor Gatto, John Holt, and Grace Llewellyn, Matt Hern has compiled an impressive cast of educational pioneers to aid parents, kids, and teachers in the quest for effective learning strategies. Matt Hern lives in Vancouver with his partner and daughters. He directs the Purple Thistle Centre (an alternative-to-school community center), is a founder of Vancouver Car-Free Day, is the author of Deschooling Our Lives and Field Day , and lectures widely. His writings have been published on six continents and in many languages.

Genres: Education, Parenting, Nonfiction

268 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Lorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has some extreme views against the current western education system and proposes a range of alternatives. Some of the essays are definitely too 'way out' for me but this book has certainly made me think about education, challenged some of my long held views and helped give me a wider perspective on parenting and growing and learning. Refreshing and very interesting, there is much here to chew on and come back to.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

As other reviews have noted, there were some things in this book that I did not agree with. There were also quite a few essays in here that would contradict preceding essays, but I suppose this is the nature of an anthology such as this. All that being said, there was a great deal that I learned from this book, and I do feel as though it is a worthwhile read.

Curiously, I found that the shorter essays were more illuminating and revelatory for me, whereas some of the longer ones seemed to drone on a bit too long at times. There was a lot of repetition as well, and in my opinion, some of these essays could have been cut out.

[Andy Iakobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought-provoking, but some of the essays were so ridiculously flowery and grandiose (or alternatively technical and specific). Some photos of the people/facilities/alternative schools would have helped set the scene.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone interested in unschooling, deschooling or anarchist schooling should pick this up. The respectful critique on Paolo Freire is particularly interesting.

[Leif · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know the title of this sounds like whatever the opposite of a barrel of monkeys is, fun-wise. But if you are interested in an alternative, seemingly radical exploration of what it means to educate a child, this book is quite the eye-opener and challenger of conventional popular American educational theory and practice.
Of particular interest (to me anyway) are the essays "The Public School Nightmare: Why Fix a System Designed to Destroy Individual Thought?" by John Taylor Gatto, and "Learning? Yes, of Course. Education? No, Thanks" by Aaron Falbel. These two essays alone make this book worth a look-see. Here are some things you will encounter in both of them:
-- Compulsory education has only existed in the US since 1852.
-- The reason the US finally adopted compulsory education in 1852 was because the system had been used with great success in Prussia as a means of producing compliant soldiers and workers who did not think too much (which would make them harder to control). This may sound outlandish, but Gatto's essay on the subject references specific facts and quotes from the proponents of this new, radical, compulsion policy.
-- The notion that subjects can be neatly split up into sub-headings and sections came to the US with the idea of compulsory schooling. Also, the practice of sounding a jarring bell between classes (which arbitrarily forces children to "stop learning" for this subject and move on to other subjects, regardless of where their curiosity and initiative is leading them) was instituted by design, with the express purpose of assuring that students would not be able to maintain sustained, comprehensive thought.

I could go on and on (maybe I already have?), but I will summarize with this: Do not read this book unless you are ready to have some of your ingrained ideas about education challenged, or at least re-contexted.

[Brimate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of essays from different times and cultures about alternatives to mainstream schooling and education. It provides discussions of a whole range of educational possibilities, from learning/resource centers to anarchistic alternative schools to homeschooling to schools/homes for refugees and orphans.

It is nice to have a reminder that I am not alone as an educator opposed to mainstream schooling, and that there are alternatives out there. Also, as a future parent who may or may not send my kids to public school, it is good to read about alternatives in that regard as well.

I definitely recommend this book to folks curious about or considering alternatives to regular schooling.

[Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. There were a lot of the ideas that I disagreed with and a few that I actually found pretty frustrating (teachers "taking advantage of children for their own financial gain"? Really?!). But, either way, it was really interesting to read and definitely made me reconsider the real value of traditional, compulsory schooling.

[Justin Stepney · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cool book all should read! many different thoughts and opinions on the school system and alternative schooling options out there, from people involved, the kids that go/have gone, and on and on. many great things i want to remember from this book..inspiring!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the premise and not all the language.