Education   

Education That Works:
The Child is Always Right, Part Nine
Conclusion

Edward L. Anderson, Ph.D.

In summary, the message is clear! We have sufficient proven knowledge to make major educational improvement now! The Mattawan (Mich) Consolidated School District (K-12; enrollment 2,700), even today 517th lowest of 524 in per-student expenditures, went from the bottom tenth of Michigan districts to the top tenth in academic achievement in fifteen years. Student attitudes and social behavior improved as did parental satisfaction. Some classes use Direct Instruction, some don’t. The improvements came because they constantly measured student outcomes and made changes based on these results.(19)

Julie Vargas tells us how to test educational claims. If we use so-called “improved” teaching methods only after they have been verified by scientific comparisons that prove them superior we can stop quackery in the schools and guarantee eventual attainment of our educational goals. Because we have not demanded these proofs, education in America is failing. Until we do, we will continue to fail

Quoting a famous philosopher, “We have met the enemy, and it is us.”

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Edward L. Anderson, Ph.D.
Ed Anderson was among the founders of the Cambridge Center,
and remains one of its most active supporters.
This paper is based upon a talk that Dr. Anderson gave on August 2, 1994,
sponsored by the Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, New York.

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