I got my Chandra Clarke newsletter today ~ actually, I probably got it a few days ago - but I got to read it today. She starts out with this gem:
At one point in my public school education, the Powers That Be decided that competition was bad for children. Actually, they also decided that new math was a good idea, spelling would no longer be necessary thanks to computers and that geography was a waste of time. Thus, my entire generation grew up believing that 8 x 5 = Eurupe.That paragraph stuck me as so true, and so indicative of the problems with todays education system.
The rest of the article, which is amusing, was on a completely different topic...which is a shame 'cause I think she could do a great deal more on this.