Palin's interviews have unearthed the hidden rust of our educational endeavors. As a substitute teacher in Florida and California, I would go off task to address some pertinent deficiencies with students. They do not care just want a diploma to move to college/university to earn a keep. This is similar to ancient civilization when classic education destroyed Greece and other places. We must act not to save the Republic. The philosophy of just knowing where to find information rather than knowing it is dangerous. Palinism is throwing words at a question, hoping people forget what was asked. It made Palin look like a/an ___________ !

While studying in the Caribbean, a professor who studied in the US gave an illustration that amazed us. He castigated the 'know where to find it' concept. He told us of a student who diligently copied his notes, highlighted many concepts in his text books and was looking forwards to getting home to begin refreshing or learning the information. On his way home in the train it crashed and burned up all his notes, text and will to study. Imagine he being an engineer, nurse or some other professional. He has the paper degree but knows absolutely nothing that an engineer must know. Can you imagine him as an engineer in New Orleans during Katrina and Rita?

I would tell them how overseas students are thirsty for learning/education. On the bus they are reviewing their notes, reading. Their school house is under a tree with a stone for a pew. And with nothing to eat all day. When I tell them how in High School; I woke up at 3:30 am to study they cannot understand that. I tell them that after spending over twenty hours per week studying I may get a C; they tell me they spend zero hours studying but are on the honor roll. How are we going to help these students.

One day in Florida I was substituting at a high school. The lesson plan stated after 45 minutes, take up the assignment and let them watch a video. Some students studied diligently and handed in most answers correct; others just horsed around and handed up ten answers that were just creative but wrong. I pointed it out to them but they waived me off and demanded to watch the video. Would you believe the video was SHREK!?

Finally, I heard that in higher education, mostly foreigners are in graduate mathematics and engineering. These pursuits require much mathematics. Overseas students have to know up to 16 times tables before 11 years old. They will not have a fear for mathematics because they have the mastery over numbers. Our students are supposed to do better because we are a super power; they should study perhaps 30 hours per week; by 11 years they show know up to 20 times tables. Students take being a super power student lightly it is an awesome responsibility. We must change our philosophy to know the stuff, know the stuff, you will be tested for university/college on this stuff.

Source: ireport.com/docs/DOC-105846