A recent headline read: 75 Percent of Oklahoma High School Students Can't Name the First President of the U.S.
Sometimes, I read things and have a serious reaction... other times, I crack wise... today: BOTH!
Sarcastic Response: Yes, but it's Oklahoma. Why should this come as a surprse to anyone?
Serious Response: Teaching for the test. Strict obedience to the curriculum. Now, we see the results.
Listen, I'm not saying GW (that's Washington, not Bush) isn't on any test or isn't part of any curriculum. What I'm saying is that kids are smart enough to know that they're being fed knowledge the same way they're being fed fast food: for quick processing. What goes in this week is tested on next week and then forgotten. No context is provided about how this applies to their lives because, for the most part, we've ceased to care about their lives. Children are products to serve the machine of industry - we want them to have a good job, stay off the streets, and forget about them. After all, what knowledge do you remember best? Knowledge you cared about! I think if we cared about how they received and processed this knowledge, we'd cease to see results like this.
Oh, and feel sorry for the nerdy other 25%... which is 3 against 1 for all of you educated in Oklahoma...
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