Of Me I Sing: Americans Construct An Opt-Out Society (Week 4)

Parents are being encouraged to keep their children from taking standardized tests in school.

Greenblatt, Alan. "Of Me I Sing: Americans Construct An Opt-Out Society." NPR. National Public Radio, 28 Mar 2014. Web. 28 Mar 2014. <http://www.npr.org/2014/03/28/295270259/of-me-i-sing-americans-construct-an-opt-out-society>.



In this lengthy investigative article, the increasing concept of individualism in the United States is examined. The definition of individualism is expanded from the traditional American notion of simply viewing one's own country as above other countries to the idea that individual people have the right to rebel against everyday institutions. A good example of this newfound "individualism" is the idea of opting out of mandated testing. In fact, an organization named "United Opt Out National" is specifically aimed at encouraging parents to keep their children from taking state testing in school. Many parents see these tests as unnecessary and burdensome, and as the number of opt-outs increases, school administrators are getting nervous. As Greenblatt explains, this phenomenon is a perfect example of a growing American notion of rebelling against the established -- and the trends isn't slowing down.