Lexicographer review — Page 29 of 37 S4

Why ca not we teach our children to read , write and reckon ?

It 's not that we do not know how to , because we do .

It 's that we do not want to .

And the reason we do not want to is that effective education would require us to relinquish some cherished metaphysical beliefs about human nature in general and the human nature of young people in particular , well as to violate some cherished vested interests .

If I were to ask a sample of American parents , “ Do you wish the elementary schools to encourage creativity in your children ? “ the near-unanimous answer would be , “ Yes , of course . “

But what do we mean , specifically , by “ creativity “ ?

No one can say .

In practice , it ends up being equated with a “ self-expression “ that encourages the youngsters ' “ self-esteem . “

The result is a generation of young people whose ignorance and intellectual incompetence is matched only by their good opinion of themselves .

Fortunately , these same parents do want their children to get a decent education as traditionally understood , and they have enough common sense to know what that demands .

Their commitment to “ creativity “ can not survive adolescent illiteracy .

American education 's future will be determined by the degree to which we -- all of us -- allow this common sense to prevail over the illusions that we also share .

The education establishment will fight against common sense every inch of the way .

The reasons are complex , but one simple reason ought not to be underestimated .

Their commitment to “ creativity “ can not survive adolescent illiteracy .

American education 's future will be determined by the degree to which we -- all of us -- allow this common sense to prevail over the illusions that we also share .

The education establishment will fight against common sense every inch of the way .

The reasons are complex , but one simple reason ought not to be underestimated .

“ Progressive education “ ( as it was once called ) is far more interesting and agreeable to teachers than is disciplined instruction .

It is also the kind of libel politicians find useful , since it helps them strike a friendly posture on behalf of an important constituency .

But there is not one shred of evidence that , other things being equal , salary differentials result in educational differentials .

If there were such evidence , you can be sure you would have heard of it .

If we wish to be serious about American education , we know exactly what to do -- and , just as important , what not to do .

There are many successful schools scattered throughout this nation , some of them in the poorest of ghettos , and they are all sending us the same message .

Thus at the recent governors ' conference on education , Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas announced that “ this country needs a comprehensive child-development policy for children under five . “

A comprehensive development policy for governors over 30 would seem to be a more pressing need .

What Gov. Clinton is advocating , in effect , is extending the educational system down to the pre-kindergarten years .

Whether desirable or not , this is a child-care program , not an educational program .

We know that very early exposure to schooling improves performance in the first grade , but afterward the difference is quickly washed away .

They should see to it that their kids do not play truant ; they should make certain that the children spend enough time doing homework ; they should scrutinize the report card .

If parents are dissatisfied with a school , they should have the option of switching to another .

-- “ Community involvement “ is an even worse idea .

Here , the experience of New York City is decisive .

Locally elected school boards , especially in our larger cities , become the prey of ambitious , generally corrupt , and invariably demagogic local politicians or would-be politicians .

They should see to it that their kids do not play truant ; they should make certain that the children spend enough time doing homework ; they should scrutinize the report card .

If parents are dissatisfied with a school , they should have the option of switching to another .

-- “ Community involvement “ is an even worse idea .

Here , the experience of New York City is decisive .

Locally elected school boards , especially in our larger cities , become the prey of ambitious , generally corrupt , and invariably demagogic local politicians or would-be politicians .

That 's what the man had said .

Now he recalled it very clearly , and wondered what the truck driver had seen in those eyes to make him back off .

It must have been the sort of look that can call a bluff without saying a word .

When the light went their way , they went on across the street .

And when the stranger found out that Phil was on the way to one of his favorite bars , he insisted on offering to buy drinks for both of them .

Phil usually went alone and kept to himself , sitting in a corner and passing the time by nursing his favorite grudges .