Gatto did not believe the system could be reformed because it is "working exactly as intended". Instead, he advocated for:
: Gatto asserts that 19th-century American social engineers adopted the Prussian system to ensure a manageable citizenry that would not question authority. John Taylor Gatto - The Underground History of ...
: Customizing education to the child’s interests and local community needs rather than a national curriculum. Gatto did not believe the system could be
: He argues the system was funded by powerful industrialists like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller to create "human resources" for a planned industrial economy. John Taylor Gatto - The Underground History of ...
: By occupying the majority of a child’s time with school and homework, Gatto claims the system deliberately weakens the influence of parents and local communities.
: Returning the responsibility of education to families.