Quotes are taken from a message written by Michael to Sheila on 07/30/96...
MM>We should scrap the entire educational system.  Once that happens, 
MM>natural and efficient systems of learning arise, and of course a subset
MM>of these will contain places which are very similar to current college
MM>classrooms.
In order to give your proposal some perspective, I've tried to draw on 
my limited knowledge of history and geography.  One way to determine 
what society would be like without our formal educational system is to 
take a look at pre-twentieth century America - before compulsory 
education.  At that time, children did not spend their time learning 
advanced skills, but worked the farm or worked in the factories for 
sixteen hours a day just to survive.  Many of those who did become 
successful in those days were the product of the limited educational 
opportunities available.
Another place to look is modern day Africa where emerging third world 
nations are trying to claw and scratch their way into the modern age.  
As I understand it, one of the ways they hope to progress is by adopting 
formal educational programs such as are found in most of the world's 
leading nations.  Interesting, isn't it, that all of the nations now 
leading the world, from Japan to the U.S., all have compulsory education?
And let's look at the results of a badly educated populace.  If we 
examine the very people you are speaking to - those who are weeded out 
of our system - high school dropouts - then, in fact, these should be 
the best educated people in our nation according to your theory.  Are 
they not the kids who have the most time to pursue the things that 
interest them - to educate themselves in the fields that are their 
greatest strengths?  I think statistics prove that they are the group 
LEAST able to succeed in our society.
Can you point to any models of nations, or classes of people, that have 
succeeded based on the model you're promoting?
Chuck Beams
Fidonet - 1:2608/70
cbeams@future.dreamscape.com
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* UniQWK #5290* "Life is full of little surprises."    - Pandora.
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