Some following posts refer to this author’s experience in a large, affluent, suburban high school of 30 to 40 years ago. It wouldn’t surprise him if he were to discover that much has changed. It was, obviously, another time, another place. At the root of the matter, however, are some observations that contain some truths. Grandpa Jim has spent 30 years as a full-time high school teacher, and another 15 years as a part-time instructor on the elementary, community college, and university levels.

Van Delinder has wondered, in recent times, if maybe public education can long endure. He sees a terribly wide gulf between large and small, city and rural, modern and out-dated efforts to educate our young. There is little emphasis or practice in the skills of writing. There is little reward for delving into older literature, which was usually the basis for the modern writers. Mathematical ability seems to have declined deeply into the ranks of cashiers and tellers. One can point to example after example of how far education has fallen behind in many walks of life. Tradesmen seem to struggle with basic measurement, those who should be able to read blueprints can’t always do so, etc.

Please do not take personally his assault of that system he once knew. He protests not the victims of labeling, he questions the labels and those who resort to them. If one had only the labels “smart, dumb, and strictly average,” would you want your child (or anyone’s child) to have to enter that class, let’s say based on an IQ test?

Grandpa Jim welcomes all comments.