This was a business day – no fooling around. I spent much of it reading education blogs for a client. I’m a real education junkie but often forget just how many wonderful, caring teachers there are out there. Wander around the blog world of educators and you find humor, commitment, talent and creativity. I admit that being the parent of kids with learning disabilities and the daughter and sister of teachers predisposes me to my admiration and interest but when you read these posts you really can’t resist.
I worry though about our schools. From what I’ve read we’re way behind China and India — among other countries — in the education of engineers and computer/math/science kids — and artsy and verbal as I am, I know those skills will be the ones we need to keep our country, and our economy, competitive. Yet all the hollering about the future of education is pretty empty. We give the No Child Left Behind tests, and I must admit that there are schools that really do need basic standards. But it’s critical thinking, inquiry and problem-solving, that will keep our country strong – and that’s suffering to fund the tests as a one-size-fits-all solution. In addition, funding for gifted kids is almost non-existent these days, so their talents aren’t being leveraged for our futures either.
If you want a real look at education today though go visit Mocha Momma — she tells it every day and with great style and compassion. Give her a try.