Category Archives: AIMS OF EDUCATION

The Three Greatest Obstacles to Achieving Equality of Opportunity in America

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The worst news about civic life is that the other side may have  as strong a case as yours. Even on the issue dearest to your heart. This can lead to analysis paralysis. Here is my short list of the essence of the argument against my vision of equality of opportunity for America through education.
1.) Local control of schools
2.) Parental liberty
3.) Cultural/religious Liberty
How can anyone be against the adoption of best pedagogical practices in every
school, home, and community in America? Distrust of centralized authority, concern for parental privacy rights, fear of loss of cultural/religious autonomy. Unfortunately, the history of the United States and the world provides ample grounds for these concerns.
But I choose equality of opportunity.This is not easy. Perhaps this choice is not even rational. It is what my heart and soul say is right at this point in history in this place.
What do you think?

Three Liberal Arts Goals

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Critical Thinking Responsible Citizenship Closing the “Joy Gap”
Critical thinking must be sustained, analytical,

collaborative, research-driven, synoptic, collaborative, skeptical, decision focused, accountable, and quantitative if possible.

 The first challenge of responsible citizenship is to see the big picture. If you can’t how can you

rationally prioritize your civic time? The second is to align your life with your vision.

 Every student should experience the joy of math, science, words, music, art, dance, drama, and sports before graduation. Making fully informed life decisions depends on it.
To achieve these qualities the integrated application of a set of seven tools can be game-changing: the thematic journal,  checklist,  matrix, conversation,  before and after test,  thematic calendar, and capstone To see the big picture means applying the tools of critical thinking to at least seven issues of paramount importance: foreign policy, economic policy, justice, climate change, education, health care, identity. Let’s call it the “joy gap”

component of the liberal arts program. A few very fortunate students already have reached joy in all areas and can be exempted. A full life comes from experiencing a full range of joys.
These tools until now have been used singly or in combination in haphazard ways across many fields. To understand the big picture requires mastering the fundamentals of

seven disciplines.

 Joy comes from doing.

These should all be practice courses culminating in a capstone performance.
The key to maximizing human potential for

critical thinking is to use them all in a systematic way.

 The big seven are: ethics, rhetoric, economics, politics, history, statistics, and science Examples: compose and perform a 12 bar blues. Demonstrate a balanced life long fitness program.

Draw a self portrait.
The three most urgent and important areas of application of critical thinking are:  first, how to live the fullest possible life day to day, second, major life choices (career, parenthood), third,  allocating scarce civic time and making decisions with respect to party affiliation,

voting,  community

service.

 A serious citizenship training program would address each of the core issues from each of these eight disciplinary perspectives culminating in a capstone presentation by each student which would lay the foundation for the life long habit of sustained, multi-disciplinary analysis. Model courses exist for each field – the Betty Edwards 3 day Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain program, Scott Houston, The Piano Guy’s program, Tim Galwey’s

The Inner Game of Teniis, Golf, etc. Colleges will have to hire more practicing artists and coaches to do this well.

Ten Attributes of Critical Thinking

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Elements of Thinking Principle Practical Tool
Sustained Continuity is the key to depth of thought     Thematic Journal

Thematic Calendar

Thematic Capstone
 

Analytical

 To understand x

Must break it down into parts

  

Thematic Matrix

Thematic Matrix

Exchange
Synoptic:

Prioritized, sequenced

 If you don’t see the big picture, it’s impossible to prioritize and make an informed decision.  

Thematic Matrix

Matrix Exchange

Thematic Capstone
 

Research-based

 

 Facts matter.

Half of what you think is wrong. Only research will help you shrink the percentage.

  

Thematic Journal

Matrix Exchange
 

Collaborative

 

  

Solo thinking can be creative but runs risk of sterility as well as retreat into a private universe

and private  language.

 

  

Thematic Matrix

Exchange
 

Skeptical

 

 All premises must be identified and turned into hypotheses If truth is to be found. Thematic Checklist:

How can I be wrong?

What am I missing?

What questions should I be asking?
 

Decision-focused:

(prioritized, precise)

 

 Life is a tissue of decisions with respect to what matters in daily life and civic life. Thematic Journal

Thematic Matrix

Thematic Capstone
 

Accountable

 

  

No test, no accountability

 Before and After Test

Capstone
 

Multi-disciplinary

 

  

Most important issues cross disciplinary lines.

 

  

Seven literacies

Of world citizenship
 

Quantitative if possible

 

 If something can be quantified, it should be.  

Thematic Data Packet

General Education: 8 courses

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World Citizenship (5) Fuller Life  (3)
Aim Habit of sustained , collaborative, research-based quantitative and non quantitative analytical thought To reach a deep appreciation for at least three of the following life joys: Music, art, drama, dance, athletics
How -1

 

Number and nature

of courses

 Five courses on each of the most important issues facing mankind – peace/security, sustainable prosperity,

Justice, freedom, and truth. To understand any one of the 5 demands studying all 5.

 Three courses in the

three areas in which the student is least proficient.

Deep appreciation requires practice.  The goal will be to reach a basic level of proficiency

that brings a deep joy and perhaps a life long hobby.
How – 2

 

Capstones

 Each class of each course structured around preparing a capstone project incorporating

the seven disciplines: economics, politics, history, ethics, science, statistics, rhetoric.

 Capstone projects could include a 12 bar blues composed and performed,

a self-portrait drawing, a film, a balanced fitness program designed,

executed, logged
How – 3

 

Elements of capstone

 The capstone project should incorporate an oral presentation, a written essay, and a three-by-three posterboard. Each capstone would include a portfolio of each stage of skill development

as well as journal entries

explaining each stage.
How – 4

 

Ideology and Models

 The courses should be co-taught by professors from

opposite ends of the political spectrum.

 Great models for how to do this already exist:

The work of Betty Edwards, Scott Houston
How – 5

 

Toolkit and Hiring

 The course toolkit should include: the thematic  journal, before and after test, checklist, matrix,

and calendar, setting a foundation for disciplined

civic life after graduation.

 Colleges will have to hire many more practicing musicians, artists, dramatists, dancers, and coaches to accomplish this. Funding options are many.