I've thought recently that arguments against online education, charter schools, vouchers, privately owned educational management organizations all boil down to support for public education (as traditionally viewed), and not always as real criticism of the other options, nor are the arguments always in favor of making sure kids learn better.
I've begun to wonder if some people are addicted to public education. They just can't stop themselves on matter what the facts. It's not questioned that many of the people of whom I speak are chronic supporters of traditional public education and opponents of any other means of education that might compete or draw students out of traditional classrooms.
It also appears that their behaviors form a sort of primary disorder. In other words, there may have been a time when they started "using' public education as the best means for educating children. However, as times begin to change, they continue to use traditional public education in the same ways they have in the past and cannot let it go. Even if one were to improve educational options around them, they would still favor public education.
Interestingly enough, it also seems as if this addiction is progressive. The more options that come about, the angrier some of these public education proponents become. Have you ever told and addict that he or she had a problem with a drug?
One question is whether or not this addiction is curable. Once people reach a certain point in their addiction, it's almost impossible to get them out. The withdrawal pains are great. What we in business call "switching costs" are too high. So, it becomes easier to simply hold on to the addiction that one has developed rather than let go and attempt some alternative.
I suppose the same could be said about proponents of many things. It is difficult to give up a position once held dearly. However, this area of education that so many currently believe is so important is not an area in which we want people arguing simply on the basis of their addictions. We need rational people who want to design schools and other educational options in ways that are best for the kids, not in ways that preserve addictive behavior.
What do you think?
2 comments:
I think calling public education supporters addicted to their view is a pretty low blow. Besides showing lack of respect, it doesn't sway anyone to your views.
Dear Anonymous, I guess it's easy to criticize anonymously. I take a chance every time I write because my name is on what I write.
I am sorry you think it's a low blow. I actually think this addiction model works well, and you didn't make any specific argument about what you didn't see as valid in my analogy.
I happen to think that the addiction model works well as an analogy for a lot of what we do and believe. People have applied it to religious beliefs, for example. I think it applies to most people when it comes to politics.
In addition, a lot has been written over the past couple of years about the irrational nature of what we believe and do. I realize that leaves me and my beliefs open to the same criticism. Perhaps I am also addicted to my beliefs. I think that would have been a stronger argument on your part than to simply say that my view is disrespectful.
Last, I did not say that everyone who supports traditional public education is addicted to it. I gave some very specific criteria to determine addiction.
I hope that I am not addicted to my views, but that is a possibility. I hope that because I examine my beliefs in this way, that I won't become addicted to them, but then asking an addict is probably the worst way to determine whether or not that person is an addict.
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