The quality of a child's education often limits or opens up a world of opportunities. Those who study the purpose of public education and how it is distributed in society can often identify clear correlations between social class and the type of education a student receives. It is generally known in society that wealthy families get the best opportunities that money can provide. Education is a tool of intellectual and economic empowerment, and because the quality of education is greatly influenced by social class, a smaller portion of the American population obtains the opportunities gained from a high-level education. Many people believe that educational inequalities are perpetuated by the interests of specific classes, but some researchers like John Gatto believe that there are even stronger social forces at play. In the essay “Against Schools” author John Gatto presents three arguments: (1) that the education system is flawed, (2) that the American education system is specifically designed to create a mass working class that is easy to manipulate, and (3 ) alternative teaching methods should be applied to teach children to think for themselves. In this essay I will summarize and connect each of these topics to other educational essays. Additionally, I will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the author's argument. In John Gatto's essay “Against Schools” he states from experience as a school teacher that the current education system is in error (148). He says classrooms are often filled with boredom produced by repetitive class work and half-hearted teaching. Students are not actively engaged and stimulated by their work and more often than not they have already covered t... middle of the paper... people are more advantaged than others and will receive a first-rate education, while others will receive a mediocre education that will prepare them less for university and more for a working-class job. There is most likely a connection between social class and the educational opportunities afforded to students, but it is also possible that other social forces are at play that determine the quality of a student's education. Gatto's essay argues that our education system is designed to perpetuate errors in order to create a manageable society. He supports his argument with several strong statements that make his logic convincing, but falls short in sustaining the credibility of his claims. The strengths of his essay also prove to be its weaknesses, resulting in a literary piece that only succeeds in eliciting emotional reactions from readers.