What about the rest of our Texas students?

Greetings Texans ,

In a recent post, I illustrated the competitive, unhealthy framework that underlies our educational institutions. Our system is designed to initiate the young into a competitive, unrealistic academic marathon, in which only a few on the far end of a statistical distribution can win. Measures of academic success are tailored to those with specific skill sets, specific interests, and specific resources. 

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The following examples are unfortunately not uncommon.

High reading comprehension?                              
Great job.

Strong written communication?
Fantastic.

High scores on math?
Veneration is in order.

On the other hand.............

You love to dance?
We don't offer anything to help you with that. 

Prefer to draw during your math classes?
Pay attention...draw in your spare time.

And perhaps the most disturbing of all.............

Can't sit still and desperately want to go outside to play?
Sit down and learn patience, and if that doesn't work, take this pill.
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We are emotionally and cognitively training a large majority of our children to believe that their interests aren't valuable, and that their instincts are wrong. This is a disturbingly flawed and unrealistic system. Any person is going to have hundreds of different qualities, attributes, and interests. I am very tall 6'6''. If I wanted to, I could train to dunk a basketball. However, my mother who is 5'3'', would not be able to do this, despite her best efforts. She can however, beat the hardest Sudoku puzzles around, something that I personally have little natural skill in, or interests for.

No matter what the attribute, there will be a distribution. Some people will be good at some tasks while others will not. Our biggest mistake in education is the stratification of human development, skill and interests. In some schools, curriculum that is natural and innate to many students, is cut from the curriculum due to budgetary restrictions. Art and music are typically the first to go.

Below is a link to Natalie Schwamova, playing Mozart's impromptu version of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. She was 11 years old during this recording. As an aspiring pianist, she was told by her teachers that she simply would not make a good pianist. Fortunately, she practiced furiously regardless of the feedback, and is now an international star.
Natalie Schwamova - Motzart's - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Natalie was given the opportunity to grow and explore naturally by her parents, despite her teachers recommendations. It begs the question back home......How many Natalie's are we missing?
We need to stop asking, "How can I help this person prepare for a future who's economy will demand certain jobs.?" We need to start asking, "How can I help this person become exactly who they were meant to be."