--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The old system where every child was…" description: "\"The old system where every child was locked away and set into nonstop, daily cut throat competition with every other child for silly prizes called grad..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eee/john-taylor-gatto-4736_broken_the-old-system-where-every-child-was-loc_2385020.jpg" --- # The old system where every child was locked away and set… ![“The old system where every child was locked away and set into nonstop, daily cut throat competition with every other child for silly prizes called grades is broken beyond repair. If it could be fixed it could have been fixed by now. Good riddance.” quote by John Taylor Gatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eee/john-taylor-gatto-4736_broken_the-old-system-where-every-child-was-loc_2385020.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eee/john-taylor-gatto-4736_broken_the-old-system-where-every-child-was-loc_2385020.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eee/john-taylor-gatto-4736_broken_the-old-system-where-every-child-was-loc_2385020.jpg) > “The old system where every child was locked away and set into nonstop, daily cut throat competition with every other child for silly prizes called grades is broken beyond repair. If it could be fixed it could have been fixed by now. Good riddance.” [John Taylor Gatto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taylor-gatto/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The traditional education model, focused on competition and grading, is deemed irreparably broken and in need of radical change. **In simple terms:** School competition is broken and needs fixing. Key Takeaway Consider alternatives to grade‑centric schooling. Themes education competition reform Mood reflective concerned Type educational critical When to use this quote - parenting - school policy - curriculum design Key Concepts pedagogy social pressure Questions to Reflect On - What would a non‑competitive learning environment look like? - How can we balance assessment with well‑being? A Different Perspective Competition can motivate learning if structured health. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Broken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broken/) [Called Grades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-grades-5919974/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Competition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) [Competition Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition-child-5919975/) [Could have been](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/could-have-been/) [Cut Throat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cut-throat/) [Cutting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cutting/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Fixed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fixed/) [Good riddance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-riddance/) [Grades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grades/) [Grades Broken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grades-broken-5919973/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Locked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/locked/) [Prize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prize/) [Riddance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/riddance/) [Silly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silly/) [Throat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/throat/) ## Related quotes > [If someone leaves you because of a flaw or small problem they're immature, and they are definitely wrong for you. 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