"Academic Toolbox, This is Dwight". "Can we write a book about common sense?" the voice on the other end responds. "Oh, hi (recognized caller and called by name) what lit your fire?" "School board meeting where I heard that school administration costs run 42 to 48% in Washington." I respond, "sure we can write the book but if you plan to sell it to the schools, good luck, it's not on the test."
Common sense or critical thinking, how do you respond to the ads promoting the leagalization of marijuana so that it could be taxed. What next would we "legalize, control and tax". Prostitution? Crack? Pornography? the sale of exotic or endangered animals? Would all go to education of course just like the red light fines, lottery proceeds, and the heavy fines that have taken millions of drunks out of their cars. Why is money always the answer anyway? The biggest complaint I hear from teachers is that they are not allowed to teach! How can that be?
Lots of questions for all of us to consider now during this election year and beyond. In any case let us all think action and not just talk.
Closing with the positive - - there is a lot of good things happening in education. Online resources for teaching and free curriculum, movements to remove the rules that hinder the teachers, movements to reward the best teachers and remove the worst. There is change in the air and that can be good if we listen and help those that are in it for the kids and try to rid ourselves of those that do anything for any other reason.
