Thursday, January 06, 2005
Out of the Cold and Frozen Ozarks
It is cold - again! This rain and flooding and now ice is making life difficult. Took twice the time to drive home last night.
On the home front, USC won the football game in grand fashion. Were the Trojans that good or Oklahoma that bad? Oklahoma lost because they were out coached. USC was ready to play and perform at a high level and the Sooners were not. There is a lesson here for Education. By the way, Momma Bear has already blasted me for the win. Looks like the weather is not the only thing that will be cold. She firmly believes that the best defense is a good offense.
As to what Education can learn from the game, consider this. Last year when USC suffered the same fate as Auburn, there was not a big boo-hoo from the Southern Cal players or coaches. They won the AP poll and thanked everyone. This year they put their collective heads down and went to work and won it all. The rules of the engagement were the rules. They won following them. It is sad that our educators cannot do the same thing. They need to get off their duffs, get to work and give it their best shot. Change what needs to be changed and vice-versa. If a student is not performing to par then say so to both parents and student. Not mean - just a "You passed but I know you can do better". If someone needs to be suspended then do it. If someone needs help then teach them to help themselves. There is nothing magical about this. Every student has something they are really good at. Help them find it. Along the way there are certain things that need to be done. It is like putting out the garbage, paying the bills and getting along with your neighbors and co-workers. Some are really good at all of them and some are only good at some of them and some cannot do any of them well. It is easy to know what you do well and very difficult to know what you do not do well and make allowances for it. It is particularly hard when the people you spend a great part of your formative years with do not "teach" you to deal with these issues. (This includes parents) There is no excuse for a lack of basic understanding and competency in English, Math, Science and Social Science. If it takes 12 years to get the basics then that is what it takes. We need to have an educational 9/11! A political Saturday Night Massacre! We are losing our kids.
The cat is secure (and warm) !
t
On the home front, USC won the football game in grand fashion. Were the Trojans that good or Oklahoma that bad? Oklahoma lost because they were out coached. USC was ready to play and perform at a high level and the Sooners were not. There is a lesson here for Education. By the way, Momma Bear has already blasted me for the win. Looks like the weather is not the only thing that will be cold. She firmly believes that the best defense is a good offense.
As to what Education can learn from the game, consider this. Last year when USC suffered the same fate as Auburn, there was not a big boo-hoo from the Southern Cal players or coaches. They won the AP poll and thanked everyone. This year they put their collective heads down and went to work and won it all. The rules of the engagement were the rules. They won following them. It is sad that our educators cannot do the same thing. They need to get off their duffs, get to work and give it their best shot. Change what needs to be changed and vice-versa. If a student is not performing to par then say so to both parents and student. Not mean - just a "You passed but I know you can do better". If someone needs to be suspended then do it. If someone needs help then teach them to help themselves. There is nothing magical about this. Every student has something they are really good at. Help them find it. Along the way there are certain things that need to be done. It is like putting out the garbage, paying the bills and getting along with your neighbors and co-workers. Some are really good at all of them and some are only good at some of them and some cannot do any of them well. It is easy to know what you do well and very difficult to know what you do not do well and make allowances for it. It is particularly hard when the people you spend a great part of your formative years with do not "teach" you to deal with these issues. (This includes parents) There is no excuse for a lack of basic understanding and competency in English, Math, Science and Social Science. If it takes 12 years to get the basics then that is what it takes. We need to have an educational 9/11! A political Saturday Night Massacre! We are losing our kids.
The cat is secure (and warm) !
t
