What would happen if some popular policies of today were taken to their logical conclusion? If all the children are above average, would they not be "re-centered" like SAT tests? I do not know if the author, Richard Salsbury, pondered the question when he wrote his story Law of Averages. Maybe he did. But whether he did or not, the story reads like a parody of all that is wrong with education today.
It is the meritocracy turned on its head in the name of preserving the self esteem of all. (Snark alert)
"...how are other kids supposed to cope if they think you're above Average?"
Although the story takes place fifty years in the future, but even today there are many students who hide their academic achievement in self defense. Even if they go ahead and achieve, it may mean they are in the job market before society is ready for them, like the boy I know who graduated with a degree in chemistry when he was eighteen. No one wants an eighteen year old chemist, Doogie Howser not withstanding.
Girls have been playing dumb forever.
"Honey, think about this: what are you going to do if you score too highly in a knowledge test* ?"
"Well I haven't so far, have I? It's easy to fool them. I know how much the others know and I just answer the questions as if I were one of them."
"That's not going to work forever. These tests are designed to catch you out..."
"The point is, Hannah, that people feel bad if someone else knows more than they do."
Because we all know how important self esteem** is. That's why everyone gets a certificate of participation at science fairs these days. Maybe the student's science fair project is nothing but an Internet cut-and-paste job, but as long as they feel good about themselves...
In the education system of the future, teachers can be called on the carpet for even so much as threatening to punish a student for misbehavior. But Hannah's teacher, a rebel in the mold of 1984's Winston Smith, recognizes Hannah's potential and takes the chance.
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Review of the literature on calculator research with primary students still available at School Crossing. See sidebar for ordering instructions.