A Bridge Too Far

In this post:
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/walt_gardners_reality_check/2013/12/income_distribution_and_school_outcomes.html

Walt Gardner presupposes that education will be holistically better for all students as well as the future of the economy if we allow for greater income distribution.  His overarching argument is, "Study after study has shown a strong link between student poverty and student performance." 

This I believe is a bridge too far.  The supposition that money will remedy the education gap assumes that actual dollars in a persons pocket will lead to stronger test scores.  At it's core the American dollar does not impact educational preparation and attainment, rather, family values do.  An individuals family values; time spent with children, accent on reading, a focus on learning, etc... are what prepare our children to enter into school ready to learn.  I don't think that it is a stretch for anyone to believe that simply providing people with a better income will NOT create greater family values.   

The issue, as I see it is, politicians cannot ridicule mothers and fathers in fear of losing their vote.  Therefore, we create scapegoats to place blame on.  Quite often, in today's political arena, that scapegoat is income distribution.  Until, we as a society want to seriously look at the underlying issues that impact us negatively we will continue to offer up sacrifices of misguided scapegoats.  And in the end, sadly, our children are the ones that we are indirectly sacrificing... 

Let's get started...

verb

1. 1.

   develop or be the first to use or apply (a new method, area of knowledge, or activity).

   "he has pioneered a number of innovative techniques"

   synonyms:

   introduce, develop, evolve, launch, instigate, initiate, spearhead,institute, establish, found, be the father/mother of, originate, set in motion, create

noun

1. 1.

   a person who is among the first to explore or settle a new country or area.

   synonyms:

   settler, colonist, colonizer, frontiersman, frontierswoman, explorer,trailblazer

   
   Being a  Pioneer means is tolling a difficult road.  As a historian I can say that many Pioneers were rough and rugged people willing to sacrifice for the extraordinary discovery of something new.  Many of these Pioneers paid the ultimate sacrifice.  All knew the risks associated with the new endeavor.  However, in each of them was a sense of risk, a sense of excitement and exploration.  Because of these people our society today has benefited greatly.

   
   

   Who will be the next Pioneers?  What will be the next undiscovered frontier?  Who among us possess the sense of risk, the sense of excitement and exploration?  Who among us will sacrifice to be the first to use or apply some form of educational intervention that will pay dividends for our current students and our future students?

   
   

   This blog is dedicated to Pioneers!  People willing to do all the above.  Stay tuned for future pioneering educational ideas!

   
   

   Good luck and may your Pioneering be prosperous!