FRAUDULENT DESTINIES: THE HIGH SCHOOL AND THE FUTURE.

The article examines the role of high schools in shaping future opportunities and societal outcomes in the United States, arguing that educational reforms often fail to deliver the promised futures. It discusses how high schools serve as sites of political and economic struggle, where investments in education are frequently misaligned with actual outcomes, leading to a cycle of "grift"—the unproductive exchange of resources for unfulfilled promises. The author emphasizes the need to rethink educational investments, advocating for a more existential approach that aligns current practices with the desired societal conditions rather than relying on flawed causal assumptions. Ultimately, the piece calls for a transformation of educational institutions to reflect the equitable future envisioned by advocates of social justice. [Extracted from the article]