I was asked a very important question today and I'm going to partially answer it here. A colleague, a business partner and I had lunch today. During lunch, the conversation turned to education and ways to correct the current system. I remarked that correcting the system would involve a complete curriculum overhaul. Obviously, I had to clarify my position.
Often, when asked a complicated question, I use an analogy to paint a clear picture. At that time I used the 1 to 100 example that is contained in a past blog entry. After further thought, I refined my message and will use the new example, "The longest mile."
The longest mile I will refer to for the remainder of this entry is a marathon. If we think about education as a marathon, there are several directions one can take. Let's first look at the American marathon runner or the race I will call education. In this country, we expect everyone to run the 26 mile race and finish, whether we have the proper training or not. We must run the race, whether we are good runners or not. We must run the race and finish like all the others.
Everyone will be judged by the same measuring stick. In reality, some will never finish the race and others will take hours, if not days. Some will finish in average time and a few will complete the race in record time. Naturally, the runners who trained for the race with a competent coach have a great advantage. Also, those with the natural gift of running the race may perform just fine.
If we create an education system which prides itself on bringing everyone through the finish line, or focus will be distance and not the race. Ask yourself some questions. Is it better to finish first or finish the race? Are you less capable for finishing 10th rather than 4th?
Competition, capitalism and survival of the fittest all subscribe to the same philosophical core. Someone has to been second or last. Someone will be left behind. Everybody cannot achieve or compete at the same level. The American system does its best to "weed-out" the weak and bring the "cream to the top."
I hope that all makes some sense. I don't plan on proofreading or editing. I'm done. Maybe one day I'll revisit and clarify my points.
