It was bound to happen. CNN is reporting on a school district that is dropping books in favor of laptops. Read the full story - http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/08/19/no.textbooks.ap/index.html.

"Many publishers of traditional textbooks are offering digital formats to address the growing use of computers, and that provided some of the material for Empire High's curriculum. Teachers also used subscription services and free Web resources."-From CNN

I'm feeling old. I actually typed my high school reports on a typewriter. Egads.

Posted by Bill Turner at 6:45 PM EDT

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This day was bound to come. Once upon a time, uh, no that won't work. Hey you, yeah the one reading this. Yeah you, come over here for a minute.

I have to tell you something.

Keep this on the QT.

I mean it. This is just between you and me.

Oh, I'll just say it. I used to be a teacher. There, are you happy now? I taught History. It was a long time ago.

I was not happy teaching. I enjoyed the classroom and watching students grow. I can give a lecture on the Battle of Hastings that will curl your toes if you are a history buff, or put the average person to sleep. I have hours of observation of excited and drooling kids to satisfy myself of the accuracy of that statement. Be here on October 14th. You'll see.

But the damnable bureaucracy surrounding the classroom is a hideous thing. And I taught at a private school. Heaven knows I can't imagine teaching at a public school. That is a frightening thought for me. I couldn't handle the committee work, much less the idea of the ten million spoons in the ole figurative pot.

Apparently, I'm not alone. Now before you get to whacking me over the head with the "he's insane" ruler, I want to cover a couple of points. First, I know that the link I'm about to post is controversial. But I also happen to agree with some of the findings. Many, in the interest of full disclosure.

Recently, Philadelphia has been embroiled in a raging debate over the efficacy of teaching African-American History. Whatever. I'm in favor of teaching as much History as possible. Yes, I know all of the arguments for and against and my opinion is that until I get a check, I'm keeping my opinion to myself. I'm not getting paid enough to be run out of town by either side.

This debate misses the point. The problem with schools in Philadelphia won't be cured with a new curriculum and a new curriculum won't make the problem worse. No, the problem is a problem of administration. I'm not suggesting incompetence. Hell, I don't know anyone in this school system. I am suggesting the need for a fundamental philosophical change in the approach to education, though.

So, I give you this link. Do with it what you will.

"THE COMPETITIVE EDUCATION INDUSTRY CONCEPT AND WHY IT DESERVES MORE SCRUTINY" by John Merrifield and David Salisbury, Cato Journal

Posted by Bill Turner at 10:22 PM EDT

Updated: August 5, 2005 7:17 AM EDT

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