Real Education by Charles Murray

The word median is statistical: it is the point at which 50% of the observations of a thing are smaller and 50% larger. For example, according to the CIA Factbook, the median age of U.S. citizens is 37 years; thus, half the population is younger than 37, half older. Sometimes, as in Murray’s case, and in this review, the median is synonymous with average (sometimes the later implies numerical mean; the median and numerical mean are often nearly or practically equal).

We accept that some people naturally excel at sports and that others, no matter the purity of their souls, are utterly uncoordinated. For any athletic ability, half will perform below average and half above average; but the guys on the corner who play pick-up ball are not as good, and very likely will never be as good, as Michael Jordan. We also acknowledge that musical talent will shine in a few and that others will have ears of stone and will be unable to carry a simple tune. Again, half will be above average musically and half below; but the gentleman working for tips down at Joe’s Bar is unlikely to blossom into the next Vladimir Horowitz.

Everybody also knows, but not everybody admits, though most agree that you can’t say so, that some people are more intelligent than others, and some are dumber. However intelligence is measured—IQ testing is one way; imperfect, but reasonable—it will always be true that half of all people tested will measure below average; that is, half will score less than the median. This is a mathematical law and it is immutable. No amount of legislation, good will, hang wringing, cries of “——ism!”, or votes cast can ever change it.1

“These facts comprise two of Murray’s simple truths: ability varies, and half of all kids are below average. Add to these the premises that college should be difficult and that universities should not be in the business (or in business) of training students for a trade, plus that this country’s welfare is important, it follows that too many people are going to college and that the future of this country depends on how we educate the academically gifted. These are Murray’s third and fourth simple truths. They are simple, too; but lack of complexity does not imply lack of importance, as we shall see.”

NO! In the communist world of education, we share and share alike. We must use “comparative learning” so students don't ALL have to work hard. Dumb ones can hide behind smart ones. The smart ones care about their grades so they'll do the work of others. So in the “group” dumb ones can hide and get away with it. Besides it's all about the “community” er GROUP not the INDIVIDUAL who is INDIVIDUALLY accountable.

Having “different abilities” just isn't fair. This must be spread around to look like the dumb ones look intelligent. So we must AVERAGE DOWN the smart ones so the dumb ones don't look bad.

Your skin color is what matters most in going through the grades and going on to higher education. Again, individual merit is not important. Plus with all the GROUP work it's tough to determine who is doing what by the INDIVIDUAL and it is less work for the UNION teacher to have ONE result rather than INDIVIDUAL papers to grade.

Getting back to skin color, we need to have under achievers look like they are just as important if not more than important that the REAL ACHIEVERS. In fact to pomote that more have everyone win a contest. Again, idiviudality doesn't matter. Reward the entire spelling bee contestants so no one has hurt feelings. That wouldn't be fair to have the losers have such LOW SELF ESTEEM, now would it? Plus it wouldn't "look like Amerca". We must have everyone have the same ability no matter what.

“Kids aren’t stupid, of course. They know, and their parents know, that a “degree”—not, I must emphasize, acquired knowledge—is a requirement for entry into higher society: many business require a “degree.” Then there is the whining cry of “Equality!” hurled by those who have discovered college is a “right”; thus, their demand that all should go. Curiously, it is these people who most look down their stuffy noses at non-”degree” holders.”

Knowledge is almost something to be ashamed of. Black kids might say to achievers amongst their own, “that's real white of you ...” when a fellow clack student is knowledgeable. It's not cool to know anything. So not only must we average the smart ones down but also ridicule achievers with being “white” even if they are “BLACK”.

This is a good article ...

Teachers should assess every kids’ ability and base what is taught on those assessments (which should, of course, be repeated to minimize placement error). Yes, we should discriminate. Smarter kids and less-smarter kids will both get an education designed for them—and not have to suffer through a one-size-fits-all curricula. To anticipate: “When children of widely varying abilities are mixed in classes, their differences are highlighted, not obscured.” And, anyway, kids always know who is who, even if adults pretend they do not.

(Yes, the KIDS know who is who! You cheat the smart kids and pump up the dumb kids and others inbetween. You do all a diservice. Our kids are our future and we are trashing it with what we are doing to them.)

Move less academically able kids to classes which teach them a living. Bring back shop class; teach business skills, and so on. Strictly “enforce punctuality and attendance,” the real skills many business are after. Recognize that not all kids will or should go to college. Eliminate the “misbegotten, pernicious, wrong-headed idea that not going to college means you are a failure. It deforms the behavior of all the actors in America’s high schools—principals, teachers, guidance counselors, students, and parents.”

(The above realitic thinking will devestate our teachers.)

Above all, expunge educational romanticism which assures us that all kids are above average, or could be if only this or that program were in place. Everybody has a potential and should strive to reach it, but remember that the Army’s slogan is “Be all you can be” and it is not “You can be all.”

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