Re: No Genius Left Behind

In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:


>Herman Rubin wrote:

>> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
>> raina120 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>> ><[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
>> >news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]

                        ......................

>> >Bush's NCLB leaves all children in this country behind. To pass this kind of
>> >legislation without any additional funding is absurd. But, what can we
>> >really expect from a war-time republican president?

>> We do not need additional funding.  We just need to let
>> the bright, and especially the geniuses, have access to
>> real educational materials, and a little guidance.  To
>> the extent that they need classwork, they can attend
>> classes well above those of the typical student...

>I was thinking in terms of:

>  (1) Making sure they have all the stuff they need to progress 
>      on their own (lab equip, oscilloscopes, software, telescopes, 
>      materials, supplies, misc facilities, whateverthehell they want)

You overestimate the importance of laboratory work.  It IS
useful, but there is the problem of being able physically
to use them.  Back when there were higher standards, it was
the case that college chemistry departments wanted the
students to take high school chemistry so they would be
less prone to breaking or mishandling the equipment.  The
needed software is cheap.

>  (2) Top-notch professors (of whatever) to talk/consult with whenever.

They need guidance, and professors are generally willing to
give it and to consult.  Speaking for myself, we would much
rather talk to a 10 year old (or even younger) who is
willing and able to understand that to a college student
who has been trained in memorization and regurgitation.

>  (3) Access to business, world-class field trips, foreign travel,
>      the whole nine-yards of exposure to creative culture/influences.

>Spare no expense.  It will payoff. This kind of program will get the
>most of your IQ-160+ intellectual raw material.  Not like all the 
>money flushed down IQ-75 NCLB SpecialEd Ratholez, with little 
>in return..

I do not think that all expense here is needed or justified.
However, we need it down to a much lower level than 160.  If
we want competent teachers, physicians, etc., for the next
generation, we will need to get it well below the genius
level, as we need those who can do similar things year after
year.
-- 
This address is for information only.  I do not claim that these views
are those of the Statistics Department or of Purdue University.
Herman Rubin, Department of Statistics, Purdue University
[EMAIL PROTECTED]         Phone: (765)494-6054   FAX: (765)494-0558