One of the things I notice – and it seems to be getting worse – is almost a complete disconnect between the ideas discussed as possible cures in education, and the problems In the public schools that are actually fatal to learning.

In other words, if somebody’s got cancer, it’s fatuous to focus on whether they need new shoes.

Schools have almost stopped trying to teach children to read in the first few grades, to do basic arithmetic, or to learn basic knowledge that every adult should know. 

Now if we don’t want to fix these things, then we will never have good schools.

I read that a group in Delaware was trying to put together a blueprint for the future. But every item on it was just clichés and platitudes. There was no concern with foundational skills and knowledge. I don’t trust that whole project. I would say it is disingenuous, being charitable.

So I wrote a rant against the phenomenon of dealing in generalities and surface. it's called: "Education: fatally mired in platitudes and clichés."

http://www.rantrave.com/Rant/Education-Fatally-Mired-in-Platitudes-...