Reading trumps all.

 I just finished watching several videos presented by Arne Duncan, secretary of the Department of Education. It was a bit depressing.

You should click through to the department of education website, from time to time, to watch some videos. The videos watch like an old movie and sound like a broken record, or in some instances a plea for an educational civil rights movement.  I do not even know what this plea means, but Duncan mentions it. The videos reiterate low graduate rates and high failure rates to merely complete high school. The statistics are proportionately worse for most minorities. I do not disagree with the facts. How about teaching public speaking in the first grade? It breeds confidence and reading skills.

I watched a video where several elementary school teachers were in a focus group with Duncan discussing the important issues of arts, PE and recess. Important? Please. There was no mention of reading, writing and arithmetic or iPads for Internet access. One teacher said that in her elementary class, she has a difficult time persuading her students to "sit on a rug." Her words not mine. She supported Pre-K education where they will be taught this essential education ingredient. I do not make this stuff up. As you may be aware, our government is now considering investing billions in Pre-K education based on feedback from videos like the one I mention here.

I watched a video where Duncan wished that more retired professionals should consider becoming a teacher. I suspect he is not aware that most states have constructed walls a mile high denying retired professionals this opportunity. Tear down some walls, Duncan, and you will get your wish.

In a recent speech at the University of Virginia to education majors, Duncan claimed that a college education was essential to getting a job in this economy. These teachers, schooled in the art of education, but with little schooling in subject matter knowledge, will graduate, join the teachers union and vote naively to restrict people, with significant subject matter knowledge, from teaching.

He continued in that same speech to opine that firms will not hire without a college education, at least a "bachelors degree is required," he pandered to a willing audience.  Duncan is out of touch, particularly when the founders of Microsoft, Facebook and Twitter; and all college drop-outs, when asked, never mentioned a bachelors degree as a necessity for getting a job at their company.

I read a research report last week funded by the department of education that concluded that reading was the critical skill for education. Wow! It is also important for test taking. Such insight!

Stay in touch.