Don Lively is a neighbor of mine. I met him several years ago while walking on a trail that ambles through the town we both live in. He's retried from the old Ma Bell and spends his time stirring up the local political establishment with his insistence that it not treat the taxpayers as temporary conduits for public money.
Don wrote this essay a couple of years ago in response to what he saw going on in the "education establishment." As is true of everything Don writes, this essay is thoughtful, provocative, and pointed. He has a point of view and it stirs people up. You may not like it, but you should hear him out.
This is a synopsis of a 17 page essay that you can download from this site.
This is a synopsis of a 17 page essay that you can download from this site. I should warn you right now by saying that Don's point of view on education reform will make some people very uncomfortable.
Education reform feels a bit like the weather. It's something we like to talk about, but nobody seems to want to do anything about it (fans of Will Rogers will recognize the allusion). Maybe it's time that changed.
Education Reform
by Don Lively
It is no secret that American education is catastrophically failing. The attached essay discusses in some detail, one observer's views on the problem, the role of various players in fixing the situation, and, some strategic and tactical concepts for implementing a "Manhattan Project-like" attack on the problem. This fix rests heavily on getting Industry "institutionally involved" in reforming and changing the course of American education.
A cabal of elitist social scientists and behaviorists has been driving education away from the basics of "3Rs", to a multi-generation era of behavior modification theories and experiments at the expense of American school children. This movement has been dominated by several powerful and influential organizations, including the National Education Association (NEA), Harvard School of Education and the majority of teacher colleges and their faculties. Collectively, these forces have achieved near absolute dominance of curriculum, teacher selection, tenure and certification. The power of these organization, coupled with the US Dept. of Education's hold over state education budgets, has virtually eliminated local influence on major education policies.
In addition to the serious impact on students' future occupation and life welfare, the productive capabilities of America are even more threatened. This, because today's 3rd Grader is the feedstock for Industry's human systems needs, ten years hence. If these students show up at the employment office, semi-literate, lacking in advanced calculating and language skills, plus the critical thinking ability a 21st Century world of technology demands, America's industrial and economic stature disappears in a cloud of 3rd World dust.
Purpose, Scope & Problem Definition
The purpose of this essay is to define the problem and suggest how a near term fix can be realized - a fix requiring a minimal government role, but extensive involvement by those having the greatest stake in restoring American education to its historical excellence...business and industry (and, U.S. Military).
The basic problem is that education essentials, which American workers have historically built their work skills upon and that have led to post secondary specialist classes, apprentice programs, military training or professions, have largely disappeared from the contemporary public school curriculum.
Compounding the problem is the closed-shop hold of the education hierarchy and teachers union...they dictate credentialing and certification processes. This locks out the sorts of training capabilities found in the bottom line-focused military and business skill training organizations.
A secondary problem, but one having potential for addressing the education issue, is the enormous pool of redundant military and industry personnel cut loose by downsizing and reengineering - often removing from the work force, individuals at the peak of their productivity and experience curve. Fixing the serious socio/economic problem of education, can be significantly aided by redeploying some of these assets to meet education needs.
Strategy To Reclaim Education From “Pedagogical Terrorism”
Tax laws, credentialing and certification standards need to be augmented and reworked to enable non teacher college-trained individuals, to develop new curriculum materials, and to teach from same, just as they do (to the bottom line or mission focus) in industry and the military. Further, incentives need to be created...e.g., encouraging industry to assign personnel and resources to the education job...a sort of an accelerated depreciation or investment credit concept, for money spent in anticipation of a future pay back.
Implementing a concept of this sort will not come with a stroke of the pen. It will need heavy conceptualizing in the stakeholder camps, plus confrontation of powerful political organizations and unions - of putting these group's very existence at stake. Even more grass roots "socializing" of the problem, and this proposed fix, will be necessary. The idea needs to become a "hot button" issue for every group already working to reform and refocus education.
Tactics
A prime mover leader in influential organizations such as the National Association of Manufacturers or Business Roundtables, must get this concept “blessed” and underwritten as an industry priority. This, then, and get it coupled and force-fed into the political process…much as the less than successful (but accepted) Head Start Program for preschoolers, has been. But, “reform” as a private venture, not one of government.
Conclusion
This monograph is just one part of a catalyst for realizing the changes proposed here. School vouchers, parental choice, etc., all, are tasks for other education activists. What lies ahead is the effort needed to enlist collaboration and cooperation of groups like those listed in the main text...this, to put pressure on the politicians and media figures who can help get this idea accepted as the most promising near term resolution of a long term problem.
Don Lively
Lafayette, CA
15 September 2000 Revision
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