More than a grain of truth here...
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Excerpted from James Dwinell's newsletter Vol. 5, No. 02
YOU DO NOT GET WHAT YOU PAID FOR
One reason for this pending catastrophe (the continuing lack of progress in science and math performance in the US compared to most of the developed world and a corresponding lack of significant progress in wireless communications in Vermont particularly and in the US generally) is that, in spite of spending more money on education per student than any country in the world, we rank 19th in math and 14th in science according to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.
Why you ask? Here is a theory. In our schools, the history of the redwood, why
Bush hates Kyoto, and why Barney disappeared passes for science. Not of course
does learning the Table of Elements, experimenting with the inclined plane, or
knowing how to reduce electrical resistance.
There is a trend away from courses with a focus on replicable knowledge, be it history or science. The trend is towards self-esteem, even discussing drama activities towards helping self-esteem. Tests are bad, feelings are good. It may be the revenge of the unsuccessful.
Stereotype ahead, beware. For many teachers, school was not their most successful period. They generally were not cheerleaders, varsity sports participants, prom royalty, or national merit scholars. They did not attend Ivy League quality schools. Their self-esteem fell.
It is also the fate of the unaccomplished. More stereotype, sorry. Many a school board member, well meaning, may be a leading member of our trust funder community, but a person at least who has the time to serve in this time demanding time we live in. But they are not necessarily accomplished in the real world. The teachers unions and their own instincts to be fair have created an unaccountable privileged teacher corps.
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