I don’t agree to disagree. It’s not my jam. I basically have three reasons for engaging in a debate or discourse around a contentious topic. A thread.
1. I want to change my mind because I think I’m wrong.
2. I’m looking to better understand and want to stretch my neurons.
3. I want to change someone else’s mind.
If I want door #4, I’m clearly procrastinating.
2. I’m looking to better understand and want to stretch my neurons.
3. I want to change someone else’s mind.
If I want door #4, I’m clearly procrastinating.
At the end of a conversation with the @HumResPro podcast, I jokingly said I’d agree to disagree that the factory-model was a thing if they took down graphics on their websites. This graphic: 
The intro to the podcast says we agreed to disagree. You can hear me say it. What you won’t hear is the “if” part because it was edited out. Which, on one hand is NBD. A risk of going on someone else’s podcast is trusting how they’ll edit you. I shouldn't have said the phrase.
On the other, I don't agree to disagree on this because it’s like agreeing to disagree the world is flat. Historians are pretty clear - "the factory model" isn't supported by the historical record. I'm not tagging them because they have more important history things to do. But.
If you want to read more, I lay out the evidence here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factory_m…, including citations from said historians as well as its use as a rhetorical device. Which is fine.
The thing that's really sticking in my brain is the treatment of men like Dintersmith (whom I'm not tagging because he understandably blocked me.) IMO, he's merely the last in a line of philanthropists who think they have *the* answer to education. #WhatSchoolCouldBe
Setting aside the glaring historical errors in his books, he is actively centering the conversation on himself. This really good, really thoughtful piece by @doxtdatorb is a deep dive into his work: longviewoneducation.org/reclaiming-edu…
The reason it matters, and what I try to stress in the podcast, is the "factory model" obscures the deeper issues in ed history. We could move to a 100% self-directed, interest-based system and still not address white supremacy and institutional sexism. Let's talk about that.
Cause there's a lot in the historical record to support that. A *whole* bunch. (If you're interested in education history, I strongly recommend reading SELF-TAUGHT by Williams and THE LOST EDUCATION OF HORACE TATE by Walker.) theatlantic.com/education/arch…
In case you're interested in following more #twitterstorians who have a focus on education history, I've created a list you can subscribe to: twitter.com/JennBinis/list…
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