The Value of Consequences.

I wanted to teach in Japan because I was so burnt out in America. I couldn't recognize anything worthwhile in the system. I really wanted a chance to look at it from the outside so I could clearly recognize some strengths that could keep me motivated when I return. I can sum up the strength of the American system in one word:

Consequences.

Sweet Jesus! What I wouldn't give to be back in a system with consequences. My students go on and on about hard work and how they admire people who work hard. Yeah right. They have never met anyone who worked hard in their lives except maybe Ichiro.

For example, did you know that in order to fail a test they have to score less than half of the class average?
For example, say the average on a test is a 70%, that means someone must score less than 35 % to fail the test. And if they fail a few tests they have to have extra tutoring from a teacher until they can get back "above passing." No one learns anything here! They just get passed, and passed, and passed! I have had failing at 11% before.

If you ever hear anyone compare the educational systems of the U.S. and Japan, laugh at them. Sure, graduation rates are fantastic here. That's because it is nearly impossible to fail.

The Oxford Project

Photography and archives are a recurring theme in my interests and my life. I find the Oxford Project fascinating. A photograpaher named Peter Feldstein went to Oxford Iowa and took a photo of each of the 670 residents to record a moment in time for a small town. Then he came back a few months ago, 20 years later, to do it again. When the photographer returned this year he didn't show them their original photo. So many of them stood exactly the same and were still wearing almost exactly the same clothes! I love that about rural life. No matter how long I am gone from Iowa or North Dakota, the change is barely registered when I return. It's like it's waiting for me.

Or you can read the New York Times article.

Frontline

It is possible to watch Frontline from PBS for free online. Schools have just banned Merchants of Cool, for being a "violation of the students' mind, spirit, and soul." So that sounds like an endorsement.