OK – I was wrong, there is one answer

So, it seems the Seattle School District disagrees with me and feels there is only ONE answer for education in their district (well, math education at least). Their answer is to have all elementary school children throughout the entire district get the same math lesson, at the same time, using the same text books.

Schools streamline how math is taught
Same textbooks, same lessons, at the same time
By JESSICA BLANCHARD P-I REPORTER

When Seattle elementary-schoolers open their math textbooks this fall, they’ll all be on the same page — literally.

In an attempt to boost stagnant test scores, elementary teachers will start using the same math textbooks and materials and covering lessons at the same time as their colleagues at other Seattle elementary schools, the School Board decided Wednesday.

I am often amazed that good, well-meaning people, (and supposedly people that know educational theory and how people learn) can somehow ignore the idea that people are all different and come up with something that they are sure will work – for everyone! Is it really possible that something can be good for every single person? Maybe. But what about the idea that we all learn differently and at different times? Maybe I just have it all wrong and we should force every single person in the United States of America to do the exact same thing at the exact same time?

What's Wrong with Education in America?