Five Interesting Trends

Predicting the future is big business. It is seen in the number of books focusing on the stock market, religion, ecology, and politics. ...and then there is talk radio and the internet. We have a fascination with the future, and the incentive to be prepared.

In August I attended the School Administrators of Iowa Conference. One session was particularly interesting. Gary Marx , the President of The Center for Public Outreach commented on sixteen trends that will “profoundly impact education and the whole of society” in this century. I will share five, without comment.
• For the first time in history, the old will outnumber the young.
• Social and intellectual capital will become economic drivers, intensifying competition for well educated people.
• Continuous improvement and collaboration will replace quick fixes and defense of the status quo.
• Technology will increase the speed of communication and the pace of advancement or decline.
• Standards and high stakes tests will fuel a demand for personalization in an education system increasingly committed to lifelong human development.

These are trends, the products of the educated guess, projecting the past into the future. There is a saying related to financial trends: “The longer a trend lasts, the greater the probability it will reverse itself.” What do you think?

The Cost of Prejudice

James Watson won a Nobel Prize in 1962 for his work in the field of medicine. Recently he fueled an old controversy. Watson believes the people living in Africa are generally less intelligent.

For centuries people have attempted to link intelligence / humanness to skin color, height, head shape, religion, and geography. These attempts have been discredited.

Yet, some will grab Watson's idea and run. His statements fit their view of the world. Perhaps they feel it gives them a social, economic, or political advantage. They do not want time and resources spent on educating "the unfortunates." In the end their incentive is greed, and they expect a bigger piece of the economic pie.

My response to these folks: "You have got to be kidding!" Your attitudes produce bad policy. Your beliefs result in a waste of scarce, talented human resources. The opportunity costs resulting from prejudice and discrimination are immense.

Incentives, Election Day, and Reading

Today we have the opportunity to vote. Free, public elections are a hallmark of democracy. This right, this power was not given freely to all. In my lifetime people persisted and people died.

We also know the incentive to participate is not there for many. What will it take to get more people to involved?

Also, we know that every child needs to hear others read. It helps them become better readers. Yet, some children do not have this opportunity.

From an economics point of view, we must figure out what it takes. We must determine the incentive that will motivate people to do what they already know is right.

Peak Performance

Students will soon begin practice for fall sports. The best athletes condition year round. The same is true with successful musicians. It is understood that hard work results in quality performance. We want and expect each participant to succeed, to do his or her personal best.

Soon students will return to school. We hold each learner to high standards. In order to achieve their learning potential, each must come to school ready to learn. Parents can help. Shorten TV viewing hours. Designate a family reading time. Spend time at the library. Eat nutritious meals. Begin an early bedtime schedule. Discuss your hopes and high expectations. Set goals. Create an attitude that school is important. It is the path most people take to reach their dreams.

You want the best for your child. Get involved and stay involved. Prepare for success now. Then, continue to apply gentle, continuous pressure. Do not give up. While not always easy, it will get results.

If you have a strategy, plan, or "trick" that has worked, please share it with this blog. We will all benefit.