(no subject)

[dampscribbler]

This is probably not going to be nearly as well-articulated as I would like, as I've been wordless for so long that I'm losing all skills, but I had a thought last night and I want to grab it, because it's important, and I want to think about it and I want others to think about it, too.

Our schools have all of these resources for identifying "problem" kids -- bullies, troublemakers, reading-challenged, math-challenged, what-have-you.  These resources are poor and underfunded and miss many kids or maybe the kids get the program but it's not the right program for *that* kid, so it doesn't help, or it doesn't help enough, or whatever, -- but -- the programs are there, and we're trying.  

What we don't have, and I think we legitimately need in the schools, are programs to identify kids' strengths.  Who is a future engineer? attorney? medical researcher? climate scientist? plumber? carpenter? mechanic?  Why is there so much focus on weaknesses and so little on strengths?  

That's all for now, I'm off to see my daughter's painting.  :)

Comments

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

And now we have a society built on buying shit and consuming antidepressant medications. Something is wrong with the model.

[jillbertini.livejournal.com]

Not only that, but consumerism is equated with political action. No wonder people are depressed. Hand me some Valium, will ya?

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

Pass the Prozac, we're having some fun now! And someone get me a Free-Trade, shade-grown, organic coffee, eh?

[jillbertini.livejournal.com]

Just make sure it's in a chlorine-free compostable cup!

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

I buy my re-useable cups by the gross, that's how much I love the environment!

[jillbertini.livejournal.com]

I just drink out of my hands. Regardless of whether or not they are washed. ;-)

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

Nobody likes a showoff, Jill. Jeez.

[jillbertini.livejournal.com]

I can't help it that I have asbestos hands :P.

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

Call HazMat!