Why Education Reform Never WorksEducation reform never works because when people talk about education they think they mean "education," but actually they mean "school." Education and school are not the same thing. It is school reform that never works; education reform never gets tried. The reason school reform never works is that schools are an obsolete institution. The difference between the best schools and the worst schools is very little.* It is time to replace them with something else entirely.
Schools were invented by the Sumerians thousands of years ago, to educate the children of the elite. They have changed practically not at all. The world has changed greatly since then, the needs of children have changed since then, the needs of society have changed since then, but schools have not changed since then.
Why have schools not changed? Because they are unchangeable, except in very minor respects. Every school is the same: a few adults in charge of a large number of children. That determines what schools must necessarily do: protect the children, maintain order, keep track of things. Those three duties are so all-consuming that what is taught and how it is taught are such a minor part of the school day that they don't matter much.
Think of schools as being like an iceberg: one-sixth showing above the waterline, five-sixths hidden below the surface. The one-sixth that shows represents the curriculum and all the things that reformers talk about. The five-sixths that doesn't show is the dominant part. This five-sixths is what schooling really is.
Schools really teach this: Be careful. Stay in line. Obey. Be quiet. Sit still. Tolerate boredom. Let the authorities decide. Let others do the thinking.
So what do we have to do? Quit talking about schools and start talking about education. Not, "How do we change the schools?" but "How shall we educate the people?"
Suppose we had no way set up to educate people. Suppose schools had not been invented. Start from scratch. How shall we educate the people? What technologies shall we use? Where shall we do it? Who should do it? Who should be in control of educating the people?
Those are the questions that need to be answered.
—Donald L. Mark http://www.dlmark.net/
*A few years back, to the amazement of the education establishment, the school in Oregon which spent the least per student scored better on tests than the school which spent the most.
If you are interested in homeschooling or unschooling (also called deschooling), the Web has a great deal of information. (EdNote: Mark has links & other info on his website)(EdNote: Mark identifies himself as a Philosopher and Critic of Everything, among other things)
. . . hmm
Things that make you go hmm
I was at the crib, sittin' by the fireplace
Drinkin' cocoa on the bear skin rug
The door bell rang. Who could it be?
Thought to myself then started to shrug
Got to the door. Ding Dong. Who is it?
My girl's best friend had payed me a visit.
Sly as can be, tight dress and all
She knew that I was faithful. I really didn't have the gall.
I tried to chilll. She made the move.
Now I know my girlfriend wouldn't approve.
I didn't realize my girl was settin' me up
Yo, my girl didn't trust me. No!
Yeah, but she lost control I wouln't take the bait.
I said chill baby baby chill baby baby wait
My girl bust in, Caught us creating a boom
She said "Girlfriend"?
Things that make you go hmm
Things that make you go hmm
Things that make you go hmm
Things that make you go hmm, hmm, hmm
Things that make you go hmm
Here's how it started
Just an example of how another brother can trample
Ruin your life, sleep with your wife
Watch your behind
There was a friend of mine named Jay
Would come over late at night and say hey
I watched the fight. I thought is was alright.
'Cause me and Jay were really really tight
So damned close we had the same blood type.
Months went by and my wife got big
We were havin' a child and I got another gig
So I let Jay move into the crib and chill
He had his own room and helped pay the bills
The time had come (for the baby down to the scene)
It looked like Jay and I couldn't believe
Before my eyes in the delivery room.
The things that make you go hmm
Things that make you go hmm
The things that make you go hmm, hmm, hmm
The things that make you go hmm
Things that make you go hmm
The things that make you go hmm.
Robbie Rob - break it down!
Give it to me Give it to me Give it to me Give it to me (x7)
Give it to me Give it to me
Seventeen and I was havin' a ball
Eleventh grade and "Joe" I knew it all
I fell in love for the very first time
With this girl she really blew my mind
Inner sense and whole lotta class
Style that could give you whiplash
We said hello and my heart be stopped
She was the world and I was on top
Time went by, She filled my universe
We made love, She said I was the first
My boy kept tellin' me. Yo, I don't know
I think your girl's been playing tic tac toe
I'll ask my girl I know she only loves me
Wasn't I the one who tool your viginity?
The look on her face read sorrow and gloom
She said "Yeah, Why do you guys always ask that?"
(Chorus)
Things that make you go hmm
Things that make you go hmm
It's the things that make you go hmm
(Repeat Chorus)
Hey ladies
Have you ever had a man
Go away for business, come back with a tan
Comes home late at night from work
You cooked him dinner now you feel like a jerk
Sayin' he didn't have time to eat
And he's not even hungry, he wants to be treat
To the bedroom he said his head hurts
You're only makin' love in radical spurts
Mysterious calls and the phone goes click
You say to yourself "I'm gonna hit him with a brick"
Ain't no way he could be cheatin' on me
I wonder who bought him those BVD's
Dressed to a T to hang with the fellas
Over the guys and I'm getting jealous
Comin' home late smellin' like perfume (fume)
(Repeat Chorus x7)
Things that make you go hmm
-- C+C Music Factory
