What's happened to us? How did we sink into such an ugly circumstance that we dare use words like “grit and rigor” in the same sentence as “child”? Who thought that was a good idea? And who permissioned that so-called “good idea” to become part of childhood education? Childhood has no reality. It’s not supposed … Continue reading What’s Happened To Us?
Category: Reforms
Make It Stop!
Look how cavalier we’ve become about childhood. How liberally we allow others to guinea-pig our children … and how uncourageous we are in their protection. Too many reckless people toy with their innocence, tamper with their sexuality, and monkey around with their learning. Too many are too determined to over-water their brains … and starve … Continue reading Make It Stop!
Under Pressure
The day started as it always does … bumping around in the dark. The coffee was still too hot to sip … and there was this … this mother’s growl in the dark … “… this morning … find multiple parents complaining about excessive Kindergarten homework 6-7 handouts, writing assignments … and 1.5 hours of … Continue reading Under Pressure
We’re Doing This All Wrong.
We’re doing this all wrong. Some day .... somehow … education will discover a proper obsession. Until then … children will suffer these testing-despots … and too many adults will make believe it’s all okay. And it’s not. But let’s be certain about this … there are some things in life that just can't … Continue reading We’re Doing This All Wrong.
A Grave New World
The entire universe of education has been turned inside out over the last decade. Long-revered pedagogical precepts have been blue-penciled by classroom-allergic theorists now leveraged by profiteers who see public schools as the next sustainable profit-producing mother lode. And the political class … put into office by all of us … has mocked our vote … Continue reading A Grave New World
Vulgar Washington
Washington is thoroughly vulgar. Repugnant. Outright vile. A fraternity of toxic personalities … where few are healthy, most are toxic, and maturity so rare that it goes unrecognized. It has been absent serious leadership for nearly a decade. No standard-bearer for principles that matter to a great many. Just the incessant hum of imperial … Continue reading Vulgar Washington
Déjà Vu All Over Again
Let's act like some steam-punks ... and do some time travel. It seems that present day educrats … think Arne Duncan, John King, and Bill Gates … might have channeled a dusty figure from the past. Meet Horace Mann who ... at times ... could actually be a pretty horrid man. Mann, a mid-nineteenth century peacock, was perhaps America’s … Continue reading Déjà Vu All Over Again
After School Routine
Here's an after-school routine that'll shock you some ... Grab ‘em by the ankles … turn ‘em upside down … and give a mighty shake. Do it every day … for a week or two … and see what tumbles out of their little noggins. Have a good stare. Too many schools aren’t just schools … Continue reading After School Routine
You Cannot Be Shocked
Go ahead! Act shocked. It won’t change a thing. This is your mess … and mine. It’s on us. Dumbfounded? How come? Wondering … “Where’d these imbeciles come from?” Here's a hint … Their mind-bending began on Day One … of kindergarten. That was the same day you stopped paying attention. Today's punks ... who … Continue reading You Cannot Be Shocked
Missives Worth Reading 