The Rise and Fall of American Education

Every day I'm invited into people's homes and they come to mine so that I can help their children succeed in school and life. And if there's one thing I've learned in my almost 10 years as a tutor, it's been that our educational system is failing the future generations. Tonight, I just happen to have a prime example of the continued failure.

One of my darling students had to read and analyze a poem. I use the word analyze extreeeemely loosely, since she was prompted with the most ridiculously superficial questions I have yet seen for a "literary criticism" assignment. Here is her homework, restated verbatim.

As you invite students to read and respond to poetry, it's especially important that you avoid questions like, "What is this poet trying to say?"

I need to stop here to note that when I first read this, I could feel my blood pressure rising. What do you mean don't ask questions about the poet's message?! What kind of new agey, hippy, liberal nonsense are they peddling at schools these days? Okay...we continue...

...or "What is the hidden meaning in this poem?" Encourage students to be open to alternatives, and remind them to consider an entire poem, not just a line or phrase. Students should understand that a poem does not have to have a message. It may simply be someone's sharing of a view or a moment.

Questions for a poem:
1. How does this poem make you feel?

At this point, I very nearly thought I'd just call it a night and give up on improving lives. My student knew how much I loathe, despise and wish this question to hades, so prior to showing me the assignment she said, "Guess what? It has your favorite question...."

If there's a more futile, imbecilic, ridiculous question to ask about poetry, I can't think of it. It doesn't matter how a poem makes you feel. Poets like Rudyard Kipling didn't write to make people feel "warm and fuzzy" all over. But, alas, question two....

2. What idea is the author concerned about?

Let's not ask, "What is the message the author is trying to convey?" or "What would the poet have you do?" No, that would be too...well, intelligent.

3. Does this poem make you aware of something you did not know before?

I suppose it's too much to ask, "What have you learned?" or "What has the poem inspired you to do?"

4. Are there any surprises in the poem?

This is eighth grade level poetry analysis. Have I mentioned that? Surprises? Why aren't they talking about rhythm, meter, verse, etc?

5. What is the most important word in the poem?

Now here's the first absolute question they've asked. Only problem is it's completely negated by their preface about "not reading just lines or phrases." But I digress. The best is yet to come.

6. What colors do you associate with the poem?
7. What sound do you associate with the poem?

I can't even respond to these. There were a few more questions but I thought I'd refrain from torturing you further.

C.S. Lewis wrote a searing indictment on England's curricula in the 1960's in The Abolition of Man. He all but prophesied that if texts continued in the direction he saw them headed, it would be the end of classical education and critical thought. He was completely right. I'm a first hand witness. It seems hopeless but all I can do is take one student at a time and inoculate them against foolishness like this.

If you're a parent, please read your children's assignments to see if they're learning rubbish like this. This will not inspire any sort of reasoning skills, analytical ability or deep thought whatsoever.