PerfectlyDocile

The Plan

Part of the difficulty in talking to people about the current happenings in education is the scope of the subject. Trying to communicate in just a few minutes the major players, the necessary (and fascinating) historical background, the current shenanigans, and the likely next moves is...um...challenging, to say the least. Unfortunately, the usual reaction is disbelief, anger, frustration, and resignation.

It's as if someone asks, "What stinks?"

"It's the elephant," I reply.

"What elephant?"

"This one here. Right at the end of your nose."

"I don't see any elephant."

"That's because you're standing too close. Back up a few steps."

"Dang! I knew there was something nearby that was gray, wrinkly, and smelled funny. I just assumed it was grandpa."

Fortunately, here we can take some time to examine this particular critter in the hopes we can find his tender spots and, with some nasty, sharp, pointy sticks, get him off our kids.

To start, I'm just going to, as succinctly as possible, lay out the situation as I've come to know it. In succeeding posts I'll support my premise by sharing with you some of the mountain of evidence that is out there. In time we'll meet the main players and discuss their roles in our children's lives.

If I cover this well, I think it's likely you are going to become daunted by what we are up against. I I know at times I have. To help you through this I will, at every opportunity, point you to allies and resources available on the Web. There is a small (but growing) army of very dedicated parents and educators fighting to restore what has been taken from us in recent years. I think the tipping point in this little rebellion is drawing closer, judging from the growing number of stories I'm seeing in the media.

But now it's bedtime. My little night owl is pestering the dogs when she should be asleep. Despite my desire to continue on with this post, I have a more important responsibility right now. I must go be Dad. I promise I'll take you to see the elephant next time. Until then, refrain from poking grandpa with nasty, sharp, pointy sticks, no matter how funny he smells.

Scott

Welcome

Welcome to PerfectlyDocile. This site is intended for families and educators who share my concerns about the current state of affairs in our public schools. As a teacher for the past 15 years, I have become increasingly frustrated with what has been passing for education "reform" in the United States, and I know many others, teachers and parents alike, are concerned as well.

There has been a fundamental shift in public education policy that has taken place over the last 20 years, and passage of the No Child Left Behind legislation in 2002 marked a critical point in its development. Control over public education has been quietly stripped from local school boards and shifted to the state and federal levels. This was not the result of any grassroots movement by parents seeking a better education for their children. It was achieved, instead, through the behind-the-scenes machinations of wealthy and influential ideologues who believe they have the right (and duty) to dictate the upbringing of our children.

Whether we continue down this road depends on whether or not those who are currently calling the shots are opposed by a united and informed public. You can't fight what you can't see. This is the purpose behind my writing; to bring parents the information they need to reclaim their right to direct the education of their children in our public schools.

"In our dreams...people yield themselves with perfect docility to our molding hands. The present education conventions fade from their minds, and unhampered by tradition we work our own goodwill upon a grateful and responsive folk."

This excerpt from the Rockefeller's General Education Board "Occasional Letter Number One" provided me with the name for this blog. I hope you recognize it as tongue-in-cheek. I don't consider myself even imperfectly docile. Domesticated perhaps, but not docile.

Scott