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The mind is precious, not the bottom line

Editor, Index-Tribune:

 

We know by now that big corporations are economic cannibals, biting off workers' benefits and public services. Now they are beginning to chew up public education by claiming that it is ineffective and should be devoured ("reformed," as they call it) by the private sector.

Public school teachers seem to be increasingly expendable, unless, of course, their students "perform" on narrowly-constructed standardized tests. The current reasoning of capitalism is that the purpose of education is global competition, and global competition is the purpose of education. Even our elected representatives cannot seem to think of any better argument for learning.

Teachers, however, know that there is also value in knowledge for its own sake and that a major purpose of education is the promotion of critical thinking, curiosity, and the fascination of problem solving in all areas of life. A healthy society depends on economic security, an engaged citizenry, and quality education. Teachers understand that in human affairs, winning isn't everything. In the long run, maybe it isn't anything. It is the mind that is precious, not the bottom line.

Support teachers. They - not corporate predators and servile politicians - are the experts.

Pat Spicer

Glen Ellen