In the News – Grant Wiggins, Angry Home Schoolers, and Gender Differences

Grant Wiggins, author of Schooling by Design, has brought forth some very interesting points on a couple of topics in a recent post on his Authentic Education Big Ideas site.

First, Wiggins takes a look at the current “Just in Case” philosophy that dominates the American educational system then discusses the more appropriate notion of a “Just in Time” system. However, Wiggins notes that the “Just in Time” concept can only come about through a complete redefining of our current school curriculum. In regards to the “Just in Time” notion, he states, “You learn what you need in order to handle increasingly demanding performance requirements” then adds “we already do this in business, law, medicine, as well as sports and the arts.”

His point by omission: it just does not happen in education.

And as for the current educational system, Wiggins is unequivocating. He states, “Most people in schools do not believe the system is broken.”

He pulls no punches as to common items he hears from teachers, “Just listen to their excuses – they endlessly talk about what they cannot control instead of working passionately on what they can control.”

In conclusion, Wiggins states, “We still confuse teaching with learning, we still confuse short-term with long-term goals of learning, we still think that school need not have anything to do with preparing children for the future, and we still think that good intentions are the same as results.”

Not exactly easy on the ears, the eyes, or the public school psyche.

Outraged HomeSchoolers

The fallout from a February 28th ruling by Judge H. Walter Croskey of the Second District Court of Appeals in Los Angeles still has most of California buzzing. The Judge essentially cast a ruling that children ages six to 18 must be taught by credentialed teachers no matter the location. That means certified teachers in public schools, in private schools and even at home when the teaching is done by Mom and Dad.

In making the ruling, the Judge cited state law from the early 1950s. Apparently, in 1953 an appellate court had ruled against homeschooling parents who sought a way around California’s compulsory education laws. Adding major fuel to the fire is that the judge went on to stipulate that if instructors (home schooling parents) teach without credentials they will be subject to criminal action.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger joined the homeschooling parents in the outrage of the ruling. Noted the Governor, “Parents should not be penalized for acting in the best interests of their children’s education. This outrageous ruling must be overturned by the courts and if the courts don’t protect parents’ rights then, as elected officials, we will.”

The whole debate came as a result of a potential child abuse lawsuit. Ironically, that suit did not seek such a ruling regarding the home schooling issue.

Since there are an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 students homeschooled in California currently, there certainly is a significant number of angry citizens. According to most research, very few home schooling parents possess teaching credentials.

Yes, Boys and Girls Are Different

I must say I knew it all along.

Researchers have noted for quite some time that girls have superior language abilities than boys. But until the release of recent data, a biological basis for that difference has never been presented.

However, a recent study from Northwestern University and the University of Haifa, deemed to be unambiguous, reveals that the areas of the brain associated with language work harder in girls than in boys during language tasks. In addition, the findings of the researchers indicates that boys and girls rely on different parts of the brain when performing these tasks.

In the study, tasks were delivered in different formats, one a visual task, one an auditory task. The findings indicated that boys’ used a more sensory approach while girls used a more abstract approach.

One amazing suggestion is that this could all be a result of the fact that girls develop faster than boys. If such is the case, then would expect the differences between boys and girls would essentially disappear in adulthood.

And as for the longstanding question on the whole notion of giving directions, when we ask a woman how to get to a certain location, a man will perceive he is getting extraneous information yet for women all information is relevant due to the abstract nature of the thinking process in females. However, according to the study, men require only one cue, and in turn, may be distracted when provided additional information.

The study could have incredible ramifications for the classroom, particularly the idea of a return to male and female segregated classrooms. Science Daily has a synopsis of the findings while the entire study was published in the March issue of the journal Neuropsychologia.

Arnold Schwarzenegger photo by
Schumachergirl1956.