Embrace the Confluence - WHAT?

A poll I read a couple years ago indicated that, by my recollection, approximately 86% of the Americans surveyed believed that education in this country is failing miserably. And no wonder; the system says to parents, “Give us your children for twelve years. Trust us. We will teach them what they need to know.”

Then the happy day comes when, robed and capped, their little darlings walk across the stage to the sound of “Pomp and Circumstance,” and receive the diploma they have waited for so long. By the time they discover that their children can’t read their diplomas, it’s too late.

What are reasonable objectives of education? What should we expect?

Well, one very distinguished “educator,” Association of Christian Schools International President, Ken Smitherman, has offered what he calls a Matrix for Effectiveness – a vision for leading ACSI into the next quarter century. In it he makes the following statement:

“We must implement strategies that embrace that unique confluence where intellectual development and spiritual formation embrace.”

I suppose he thinks that statement is brilliant and inspiring. As for me, I don't have any idea what it means. It sounds like typical elitist drivel and edubabble to me but, what do I know? Whatever that means, I just hope it works out for them. Personally, I like this clear, concise declaration of what we need from education from one of my favorite conservatives, William Bennett, former secretary of education.

“Education’s fundamental purpose concerns the nurture and development of intellectual and moral character. When the American people are asked what they want from their schools, they consistently put two tasks at the top of their list: First, teach children how to speak, write, read, think, and count correctly; and second, help them to develop reliable standards of right and wrong that will guide them through life.”

Now That's what I call a Matrix for Effectiveness.