The same morning In-Box brought me a column forwarded by another friend by Thomas Friedman, titled “Fly Me to the Moon.” (I will try to link it here, but you have to be a NYT subscriber and all that…it is free, so here you go: FRIEDMAN ) The thrust of Friedman’s column is that educational funding for science and mathematics is being cut at the worst possible moment. This morning’s paper heralds the newest data point on failing American academia: our 15 year olds are horrible at math and science. Friedman calls for a big vision agenda out of the Administration to set a goal for America – the “Moon shot” of the new century- and that is energy independence. This sentence from a recent DOE report should be sobering enough: “In particular, energy demand in the emerging economies of developing Asia, which include China and India, is projected to more than double over the next quarter century.”
This evening’s Blackberry buzzing brings tidings from the Orient from a dear friend who had received the joke referenced above. His observations are poignant:
Boy does this one make the rounds. This has been circulating in Asia for a
couple of years. Problem is most people in US seem to treat it as a joke.
Everything good here in Taipei though not a day goes by without some indication
that all the action is moving this side of the date line. If life is a monopoly
game at some point all the money will reside in Shanghai. I feel like I am
watching the fall of the Roman Empire. Unfortunately I don't think US will stay
in the top slot nearly as long. Hope you're still reading your St Augustine.
Good insights on how it comes apart.
Sometimes e-mails, like events, come together in one of those moments that are reminiscent of when Einstein hit upon his famous theory while boarding a bus in Bern. We are in the midst of two great historical movements. The first is the violent emergence of radical Islam that has necessitated the War on Terror. The second is the arrival in the developed world of the enormous populations of China and India. While the present generation, i.e. those in uniform now, must fight the first thrust, future generations will have to deal with the economic competition posed by the emergence of these two giants. Sadly, the present generation is not doing a good job on the second front. Here’s an inventory of what, I believe, we have done wrong:
1. The present philosophy of education is flawed: we are obsessed with progressing our children through the grades so they can go to college…any college, it doesn’t matter, you must have a degree! Not to do so is failure.
2. We are not serious about teaching anymore. We are more concerned with how the child “feels” and their “self-esteem.” God forbid the child acts disinterested or hyperactive…we have the drugs to make them comfortably numb and behave better.
3. Because of #2, we do not challenge our children. Without challenge there is no inspiration. Name someone who excelled after being told that they wouldn’t have to work hard to achieve their goal.
4. We have lost sight of what is important. We are more concerned with teaching a diverse smorgasbord of social dictums from the “history of civil rights” to “Bilingual Cross-Culture Studies” that there is no time for the basics anymore.
In response to these four points, and there are many more, let me humbly offer the following four solutions:
1. Rejuvenate the Junior college and trade school track as a noble, rewarding alternative to the “pushing through” and dumbing down that occurs in the current system. To be a fine computer technician does that mean you have to have a 4-year degree from an accredited college?
2. Restore vigor and standards to teaching. I believe that would not only turn out better students, it would attract better teachers. Anecdotal point: The Marine Corps and the Dominican Sisters have no trouble with recruitment…neither organization minces words about the fact that the career path will be rigorous, strict and life-changing. Those that rise to those standards have something special in store for them.
3. Let’s pick up Friedman’s call for a new moon shot: Energy Independence…let’s expand that by making it date certain like Kennedy did: Energy independence by 2025. Let’s create the challenge that will inspire!
4. Let’s get back to the basics. Let’s establish a national curriculum with national standards. Oh My GOD! Did this Redstate conservative just say what I think he did?? YUP! But the national curriculum and standards would be geared to producing effective citizens by the time they graduate from 12th grade. Basic modules of math, science, English, history and economics would form the national “core.” There would still be ample time left in the daily schedule for the electives of music, art, foreign language or even trade skills.
We need to view these proposals not as a social revolution, but as a part of our overall homeland defense strategy. There is one thing for sure: unlike the barbarians of Augustine’s time, these will not take pity on us because of our “respect for Christ.”
*Please excuse the title...I've been on a real Jethro Tull kick lately - profane and prophetic, but fun. Besides, how many other '70's vintage bands have male keyboard players that became women?