I've just finished a book with a highly convincing argument on how to fix the ills of the American educational system. And it is not to throw more money at the schools, which is in direct opposition to many politicians today, including the gubernatorial candidate endorsed by the teachers' union. The answer has been staring us in the face for years. It is the idea of year-round school.
Now, as a teacher, I must admit, that idea is less than thrilling, but then a longer year means more hours... But the research presented looked at the gains per economic strata on reading tests given at the end of the school year and then again after the summer break. Those whose parents can afford the tools to keep children learning in the summer, do better. Is that such a revolutionary idea? I think not.
This book also analyzed how diligent effort is required for excellence in anything, from music to computers. The author's claim is that 10,000 hours of practice are required before one can be truly great a task. Even a moderately talented musician who practices that much will be supremely talented by the end of that time. His example? Bill Gates had a very unique opportunity to put in probably that much time on computers as a junior high student. He was an expert by the time he graduated high school.
So really, all any of us need to be a "Great" at something, is a concerted effort at it. If I tried to be good at math, I would be. It is not just IQ that determines success. It is your own personal determination to be great.
In another, unrelated topic, I finished my three week sub position as a teacher's aide today. For the most part it was bittersweet. Some of the kids are so sweet. But then there was one who was percocious enough to ask, "When are we getting our real teacher?" For all he knew, I was the real teacher. At lunch, some of the teachers were commenting on students saying rude things to them. They all really liked mine.
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