--- product_id: 85573948 title: "Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling" price: "R743" currency: ZAR in_stock: true reviews_count: 9 url: https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/85573948-dumbing-us-down-25th-anniversary-edition-the-hidden-curriculum-compulsory store_origin: ZA region: South Africa --- # 4.7/5 star reader approval 25 years of enduring insight Top 1,500 in Education books Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling **Price:** R743 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 📖 Unlock the hidden curriculum shaping our future—read what everyone’s talking about! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling - **How much does it cost?** R743 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.za](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/85573948-dumbing-us-down-25th-anniversary-edition-the-hidden-curriculum-compulsory) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Concise and Powerful:** A quick yet profound read that fits into busy professional lives while sparking meaningful conversations. - • **Essential for Advocates:** A must-have for anyone passionate about shaping the future of education and society—don’t miss out on this cultural touchstone. - • **Cross-Disciplinary Appeal:** Ranks impressively across Political Theory, Family & Relationships, and Education categories—perfect for thought leaders and change-makers. - • **Highly Acclaimed by Readers:** Boasts a stellar 4.7-star rating from over 2,000 reviews, proving its impact and trustworthiness. - • **Timeless Educational Critique:** A 25th Anniversary Edition that remains as relevant as ever in dissecting compulsory schooling’s hidden lessons. ## Overview Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Edition is a critically acclaimed book that exposes the subtle, often overlooked lessons embedded in compulsory schooling. With a 4.7-star rating from over 2,000 readers and strong rankings in Education, Political Theory, and Family & Relationships, this quick yet impactful read is essential for professionals invested in educational reform and societal progress. ## Description Throw off the shackles of formal schooling and embark upon a rich journey of self-directed, life-long learning After over 100 years of mandatory schooling in the U.S., literacy rates have dropped, families are fragmented, learning "disabilities" are skyrocketing, and children and youth are increasingly disaffected. Thirty years of teaching in the public school system led John Taylor Gatto to the sad conclusion that compulsory governmental schooling is to blame, accomplishing little but to teach young people to follow orders like cogs in an industrial machine. He became a fierce advocate of families and young people taking back education and learning, arguing that "genius is as common as dirt," but that conventional schooling is driving out the natural curiosity and problem-solving skills we're born with, replacing it with rule-following, fragmented time, and disillusionment. Gatto's radical treatise on public education, a bestseller for 25 years, continues to bang the drum for an unshackling of children and learning from formal schooling. Now, in an ever-more-rapidly changing world with an explosion of alternative routes to learning, it's poised to continue to shake the world of institutional education for many more years. Featuring a new foreword from Zachary Slayback, an Ivy League dropout and cofounder of tech start-up career foundry Praxis, this 25th anniversary edition will inspire new generations of parents and students to take control of learning and kickstart an empowered society of self-directed lifetime-learners. Review: Quick read - A must read for every one who cares about children and society. Review: This book is so true! Perfect! - This book is so true! Perfect! ## Features - NEW SOCIETY ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #167,529 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #994 in Political Theory #2,570 in Family & Relationships #4,208 in Education (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 2,043 Reviews | ## Images ![Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81NoBcRs6rL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Quick read *by A***A on 3 November 2025* A must read for every one who cares about children and society. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book is so true! Perfect! *by R***7 on 28 September 2022* This book is so true! Perfect! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What every parent must read *by A***R on 21 August 2020* A deeply insightful book on the education system. Although, this book is specific to the American education system, a lot of these learning apply to all schools globally. ## Frequently Bought Together - Dumbing Us Down - 25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling - Weapons of Mass Instruction: A Schoolteacher's Journey Through the Dark World of Compulsory Schooling - The Underground History of American Education, Volume I: An Intimate Investigation Into the Prison of Modern Schooling --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/85573948-dumbing-us-down-25th-anniversary-edition-the-hidden-curriculum-compulsory](https://www.desertcart.co.za/products/85573948-dumbing-us-down-25th-anniversary-edition-the-hidden-curriculum-compulsory) --- *Product available on Desertcart South Africa* *Store origin: ZA* *Last updated: 2026-06-06*