Opus 2011-135, Discernment Watch: Public Education

We are failing in our basic education.  It used to be that school was to give you the basic tools to make something of yourself.  You were taught to read and then expected to go forth and read.  You were taught basic mathematics and expected to balance your budget.  You were taught the rudiments of science and knew that turning up the gas made the soup boil quicker.  It worked.  I had uncles who did not go further than high school who knew more about the Bible and theology than a most seminary trained pastors I have met.

We all have gaps in our education.  That is to be understood.  Some of us are getting older and are forgetting much of what we knew.  I can’t help that.  There is, however, an old truth:  You can’t forget what you never knew.  If I just made that up then it is a new truth, but true just the same.

I have in front of me a shiny, new “District Strategic Plan” for the school district I work in.  It has engaging full color photos, glossy paper and a lot of nifty words like “road map,” “collaboration,” “passion,” and “potential.”  It doesn’t say a thing about reading, writing or ‘rithmatic.  To be fair, you need to go on line to find out the full plan, but why would I bother.  If I see a half a worm sticking out of an apple I don’t need to eat the apple to know what is inside.

homo unius libri