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WEAPONS OF MASS INSTRUCTION<br />

Shouldn't motorists have to mount illuminated signs indicating<br />

the grade <strong>of</strong> driver they are You couldn't argue against such an initiative<br />

on reasonable grounds given the low opinion <strong>of</strong> humanity reflected<br />

in our politics, our media, and our pedagogy. It makes sense,<br />

yet the idea is utterly ridiculous. We expect one another, whatever our<br />

grades or test scores, to use good judgement in driving and for the<br />

most part, we aren't disappointed.<br />

Grades and test scores are a terrible measure <strong>of</strong> quality. The sooner<br />

we recognize that in planning, the sooner we'll reach better ways to<br />

help our young. After teaching for 30 years, and winning awards doing<br />

it, I can say flatly what everyone knows in their gut - the best<br />

readers, the best writers, the best mathematicians, the best scientists<br />

are almost never people who got the best grades. You all sought the<br />

position <strong>of</strong> leader, Senators, and I'm asking you to face the implications<br />

<strong>of</strong> that squarely - find the courage to flaunt the financial interests<br />

which use schooling as a cash cow.<br />

If you can't do that, all the Senate committees in the world won't<br />

give American students a better deal in school.<br />

A Free Verse for Kristina<br />

Whatever education is<br />

it should make a girl unique<br />

not a servant<br />

It should give her courage<br />

to tackle the big challenges, to find principles which<br />

will serve as a guide on the road ahead,<br />

Make her strong in the<br />

presence <strong>of</strong> evil,<br />

Let her love her fate whatever it is,<br />

above everything, it should lead her to discover<br />

what really matters:<br />

How to live and how to die.<br />

- John Taylor Gatto

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