Temporary closure - the education system
Little did I know that when I developed my list of themes for this blog, that they would be so vast in point of view. After having countless discussions with friends on the various subjects on which I set out to comment, I have discovered that it will be virtually impossible to even cover the subjects, let alone make any real sense out of a strategy to actually solve what I would consider endemic problems. Having said that - I will persevere.
In the interest of brevity... my subequent discussions with wise and experienced educators continue to reveal nuances and subtleties in both society and "the system" that make it somewhat immune to real change. Without sounding callused, there is neither a sufficient body of those in education or those in the public at large that really "care" about systemic change. Eighty percent of teachers become indoctrinated into a rut of mediocrity reinforced by the union, the administration, and parents that see them as glorified babysitters. Many frustrated wealthy and middle class families choose to bypass the public school system an put their children in the best private schools (of which I must admit I am guilty) and poorer families are disillusioned by education as something that will not actually make a long term difference in their lives. It's truly sad. We choose to have our lives move at a pace that does not allow a perspective of decades or generations - but instead days, weeks, and the almighty quarter... which brings me to my next subject: venture capitalists and wall street.
In the interest of brevity... my subequent discussions with wise and experienced educators continue to reveal nuances and subtleties in both society and "the system" that make it somewhat immune to real change. Without sounding callused, there is neither a sufficient body of those in education or those in the public at large that really "care" about systemic change. Eighty percent of teachers become indoctrinated into a rut of mediocrity reinforced by the union, the administration, and parents that see them as glorified babysitters. Many frustrated wealthy and middle class families choose to bypass the public school system an put their children in the best private schools (of which I must admit I am guilty) and poorer families are disillusioned by education as something that will not actually make a long term difference in their lives. It's truly sad. We choose to have our lives move at a pace that does not allow a perspective of decades or generations - but instead days, weeks, and the almighty quarter... which brings me to my next subject: venture capitalists and wall street.
