The Lifestyle Chronicles - Chronic Problems And Acute Solutions

A recent article in the NY Times reported that schools are increasing time spent on reading and math, especially for low-proficiency students. Those subjects require annual exams and schools that fall short of rising benchmarks are penalized. Since the passage of No Child Left Behind, seventy-one percent of the nation's 15,000 school districts have reduced instructional time for history, music, art and social studies.

Sounds strange and very narrow. Lots of attention to preparation for a test. It may be years before we know if the powers-that-be in Washington know what they are talking about. Let's pray they do know what they are doing. Meanwhile, a lot of kids will be herded down the same path and God help them if this path is a deadend.

Requiring discipline and performance is good. Proficiency in fundamental knowledge is good. Using these as a basis for analyzing and solving problems is better. The health of future generations needs broad understanding of lifestyle that is currently lacking. What is the basis of that failure and how can it be addressed? It is an educational issue that is inadequately treated by medical care.

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