Education

The recent "Superman" movie appears to be sparking a lot of debate about education, namely schools and the need to improve them. Note, I didn't use the word "reform." That's because there's been a lot of reform, but not much improvement, in fact, probably none at all. I don't count the test scores because the tests, over the years, have been shown to be inaccurate (with poorly written questions, wrong answers, etc., schools/teachers literally teach the tests (sample questions, how to take those types of tests, etc.). No, they are hardly any reflection of improvement. It's disheartening to hear school officials, including the state superintended, claim that there has been significant improvement. I really doubt there has.

Some of the debate has been marked by arguments such as "we know what to do," "it's easy to identify bad teachers, etc. Well, yes and no. But I think those are off the mark, way off. First, we have to ask the right questions. Then, we have to ask the right people for answers. We aren't doing either of those and the likelihood of that is not high.

Sure, we can easily identify the poor teachers. That's not hard. Although most teachers do a creditable job, some are even outstanding, there are far too many poor ones. And, yes, they are "protected." No doubt some are protected by the teachers' unions and even tenure laws (although with competent administrators, those can't protect bad teachers). But I would submit that most lousy teachers are protected by administrators. Some of that comes from incompetent administrators or even those who lack the courage to get rid of the bozos. Yet, I think most protection comes from administrators who are more concerned with keeping "team players" than they are with outstanding teachers. I can give many examples, past and present of this. Administrators are happy to be rid of the critics, the naysayers, who often point to the stupid, silly, ineffective policies and programs that are pushed by administrators and school boards. Again, I can give many examples, past and present. Isn't that sad, that a principal jumps up and down in excitement to get rid of one of the few outstanding teachers out there just because that teacher knows and speaks out about the inanities passing for education? You know, I haven't heard nor read a word all week about incompetent administrators. It's as if all the pundits just accept that administrators are experts--and they aren't, not at all. In fact, I believe they, with their fake degrees in education, have the least amount of education, know the least about quality education, and have no idea of the rigor required for that quality. And, from what I have seen, past and present, they lack the courage and integrity to stand up for what's right, for quality and rigor.

Here's one that might shock some folks. I don't think education should be "all about the kids." Nope, at least not in the sense that most people think of that. Education is about preparing for the future. Installing, for instance, a false sense of self-esteem/concept is not good, but detrimental. Students should be prepared for failure as well as success. Now, far too many expect the best, be it grades, jobs, etc., without really having to prepare themselves. The schools, in being "all about the kids," have encouraged this. Education should be about preparing citizens for an active and knowledgeable role in democracy. I wonder how learning how to take standardized tests does that?????

Those applauding attempts at school reform (see above) have their hearts, but not their heads, in the right place. Why in the world would we expect the same people who got us in this educational mess in the first place to get us out of it, esp when they've implemented failed policy after failed policy? Beats me.

Another thing I've read and heard is the amount of time US students spend in school compared to those in countries with higher test scores. I find it interesting that many of these same folks, citing the greater time in class in other countries, then are absolute in adopting, say, health care like other countries. "We don't want to be like them!" "We aren't France or Norway!" I know, I know--comparing apples and oranges. But, you know, apples and oranges can be compared!

"More hours," "more homework," "Saturday classes," and "longer school years." Bah! When is there time for kids to play, to be kids? If we want more of the above, add an extra year, with graduation at 19 instead of 18. How many 18 or 19 years olds are really ready to jump out and save the world? Let kids be kids as long as they can. They grow up soon enough. But, no, we want them to, well, dress scantily, have babies, smoke cigarettes, use drugs, etc., just like adults. Oh, we don't? Then why do we force, or at least advocate, so many "unkid" things on them?

There's more, but Bopper has a game.... Out.