Four Essential Principles for Education Success

Four Essential Principles for Education Success:

Well worth the reading.

Makes good sense to me. Who would not buy in? If bought in, how do people get sucked in to process focus?

"THE FIRST PRINCIPLE: Remember that our goal is success, not process."

THE SECOND PRINCIPLE: Reform and education innovation must be addressed in the context of universal principles of human nature.

THE THIRD PRINCIPLE: Remember that education does not equal salvation.

"This is not to say that education is not critical for success. In fact, it often is the key factor in turning a life toward productivity and success. But without a moral framework within the person and the culture, and a commitment to the development of character traits such as integrity, responsibility, honesty, respect for properly established authorities, and charity, we will not really have succeeded.

An evil person with a great education is an infinitely more dangerous person by his education than had he remained relatively ignorant. A well-educated thief is a much more dangerous thief. Some might say that he is a "better" thief; that is to say, he can plan better, be craftier in his trade, and actually reach his full potential as a thief. And though he may, as a result, never be captured and may become the subject of legend, we have to ask the obvious question: Is he successful? Have we, as his educators, done well by him and by society? Has his education saved him or contributed to the culture? Of course, the answer is "no."

THE FOURTH PRINCIPLE: We should always remember to whom we are accountable.

"Society? Yes, to some extent we answer to "society." But how do you measure that with any accuracy in the short, correctable term?

Students? In a sense, yes, in that they have to live with the blessings or consequences of what we do. But we cannot consider them an accountability receptor for the same reason most civilized cultures do not allow people who have yet to reach maturity to make other choices.

So, to whom are we accountable? Who is the audience? Who is "the boss"? The answer is that lovely word that often invokes mixed feelings in all: parents.

Some might object by saying that we are actually accountable to God for our actions, even in education, and they would be right in the ultimate sense. But interestingly, at least in the case of education, God specifically charges parents with the responsibility of overseeing their children's education."