'College material' label doesn't stick for all – and that's OK

Steve Blow:

I've got an assignment for you.

As you're out and about over the next couple of days, I want you to notice all the jobs that don't require a college degree.

I'll get you started with a few – bus driver, cashier, plumber, cop, construction worker, waiter, sales clerk, janitor, child care worker, mechanic, appliance technician, cable installer, postal carrier, carpenter, barber, truck driver ...

OK, you get the idea.

Now, let's think about a pervasive philosophy in public education. It's summed up in a bumper sticker I saw last week: "Our Students Are COLLEGE BOUND."

That particular sticker was from the Garland Independent School District, but it's the same mantra expressed in every district these days.

Our schools have turned into Lake Woebegone ISD, where every student is above average and on the way to a Ph.D.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at May 13, 2008 12:00 AM
Subscribe to this site via RSS/Atom: Newsletter signup | Send us your ideas