The Importance of Character in Life (and Education)

How many times have I said it before: we must let our children fail when they are young! How else to learn?

Pennsylvania Joins the List of States Facing a School Cheating Scandal

Humans are so damn predictable. When people are financially rewarded or punished based predominately on standardized test results, the inevitable result is cheating. Why? The objective and purpose for excellence in schooling is forgotten in a culture that lives and dies by a competitive process which has become disconnected from its actual impact on society.

I don't oppose merit based pay in the school system. I do, however, oppose the idea that we can evaluate a teacher's merits based upon standardized test results. At least, no standardized test I've ever seen.

Dr. Herzberg's two-factor theory addresses the reality of hygiene needs and their role in performance motivation. According to Herzberg, salary and wages are hygiene factors. Hygiene here refers to the idea that the lack of the factor causes dissatisfaction, but the presence of such a factor does not lead to sustained satisfaction or motivation.

It seems to me the school boards and legislators have substituted standardized testing in place of actual leadership and meaningful recognition in the workplace.

The Paideia Program

I came across the paideia program about 10 years ago. When I first read it, I fell in love with the vision these educators painted. It strongly influenced my thoughts about what K-12 education should be and what the real purpose of education is--namely, to lead individuals in the pursuit of discovery about the world and, more importantly, self.

Several nights ago, I picked up the paideia program and started reading again for the first time in what seems like forever. The ideas are as compelling now as they were back when I was feeling the sting of a stifling educational environment--perhaps reinforced by my desire to shield my son from the pain that I suffered through. The Paideia proposal and program builds on the pedagogical philosophy of Dewey by delivering specific advice on pedagogical methods and content. I feel many of you would find the Paideia trilogy by Mortimer Adler to be of interest. Please check it out if you have any interest in applying the "great books" approach in education.