Some of the more obvious forms of propaganda comes from systematically spreading lies to promote an agenda. If you want to see this form of propaganda, just visit the websites for the NEA or AFT.
Even shorter messaging such as Tweets can be used to systematically spread lies. I have already addressed a number of these lies in my series dedicated to misconceptions regarding the schooling process. Others emerge quickly and spread as though it is accepted as fact. For example, we keep throwing more and more money at our schools, but numerous individuals are spreading the outright lie that we have defunded the schools.
Similarly, there is a current trend to insist that schooling is an important tool to prevent abuse. Although there are some rare forms of abuse where this is technically true, schools are systematically abusing children. This abuse easily exceeds forms that they prevent.
There are also other messages that aren't outright lies but intended to spread a false narrative. One of the recent common-sense-defying trends among teachers is the 90% argument. Teachers and loyalist supporters are attacking choice programs on the grounds that it takes away funding from the government-run schools that 90% of children attend. The whole idea behind choice is to reduce the number of children trapped in government-run schools, which is too high. A high percentage does nothing to diminish the argument of choice. In fact, it technically supports arguments for choice.
Not all propaganda is in the form of words. Posters and statues have been used for propaganda. This isn't quite the case with pro-schooling propaganda. Instead, they find anything possible to portray schooling as the way things have to be. Take a look at Hollywood. The difference between good teachers and bad teachers is that good teachers are humorous while bad teachers speak in a monotone voice. There is very little difference in how entertainment produced before I was born, modern entertainment, past settings, present settings, future settings, different locations, elementary schools, high schools, colleges, government-run schools, and private schools are portrayed. I don't mind watching accurate portrayals, but we're talking about a lone portrayal.
A similar form of propaganda is frequently more subtle. For example, I saw an anti-drug ad on the side of a bus. The primary reason shown for avoiding drugs is that drugs harm grades. There are much better reasons to avoid drugs than grades. By leading with grades, they push the argument that schoolwork should be the biggest concern for children.
Another example of this form of propaganda was on the side of a pizza box. It said something along the lines of getting an A being reason for a pizza. Quite frankly, this message wouldn't make sense if we didn't embrace the nonsensical letter grading common in the schools. Also, it portrays the pursuit of grades as a definitive positive, regardless of what schooling may interfere with.
Some forms of propaganda are even more subtle. For example, I saw an article with a headline involving the words, "failed the test." This is a term not often used outside of a schooling environment. By using this phrase, they backed the idea that we should all be used to this terminology. In a sense, they punished any resistance by using a phrase that wouldn't make nearly as much sense in a more rational world.
We have been severely impacted by pro-schooling propaganda. We simply accept what we are doing now as how things have to be. Imagine for a moment that a school-aged child is out in public on a school day. Most people will wonder why the child isn't in school. Many will assume that the child is playing hooky. What if that child learns outside of a formal schooling environment? Most people won't even consider the possibility.
I'm not going to make any promises, but I will likely become a little more active in calling out pro-schooling propaganda in the future. Feel free to do the same. We could be doing so much better. Simply accepting the disastrous system we have in place today is a disservice to future generations. Let's let those future generations know that we are willing to call out those who are fighting against progress.
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