Education

Let me clue you in on something: School principals like to point out the things they're doing to improve education. "We're doing this and doing that." Not a bad thing, necessarily-everybody should to take pride in their job. But, just like the equivalent impulse in politics, the result of "doing" is often worse than that of having done nothing at all.

For example, during the last Christmas vacation, my children's principal thought it would be a good idea to give the students a thick homework packet. I told my kids they didn't have to do it, but they were obviously afraid of the consequences of ignoring the packet, and they did it anyways. It was very annoying; every time I wanted to do something with the family, we either couldn't because they had to do work on their packet or they had to schlep their packet with them to our destination.

After vacation, the principal was very proud indeed of her idea to have children work during their vacation, "Here at SG, we have students working every day of the year-that's how much we care."

Let's examine that decision:

First, what good does it do for students to do 8000 multiplication problems instead of, let's say, 3000? On the 3001st problem, will they suddenly declare, "Oh! now I get it?"

Second, a teacher isn't there for the student, right? So who'll be there to explain the work to the student? If he can do it by himself, of what use is the work? (If he can do it without help during the school year, of what use is the school?)
If he can't, then what? Wait until class starts? Useless.

"Aha!" you say, "the parents will help them." Think about it, people. If the parents are in a position to help them, can't they also choose what their children will learn during vacation? A concerned parent would want to focus on their child's needs, not on some generic worksheets.

Third, isn't it much better for children to spend time with their families going fishing, connecting with grandparents, and other such activities than connecting dots or conducting pointless math drills?

Fourth, parents should be insulted at the maternalistic nature of the request, "On your time, we think your children should fill out this packet. We know you won't do anything by yourself. See how concerned we are?"

Fifth, should the school be spending money of things of such little worth? Can't the parents buy their own books or even workbooks? Here's some good ones you have no chance of receiving from your public school:

Comprehensive Curriculum of Basic Skills, Grade 4 (Comprehensive Curriculum) by School Specialty Publishing

Anyways, the next vacation packet will be returned to the principal- empty, on principle.