I somehow found a shortcut that got me to this end about 40 years early. I'm actually proud of both of these traits. I feel that I have had a wonderful education that, although it had its dull moments, forced me to develop my intuition and reason. I work around the physics lab at Midwestern State University and have seen things that really make me question the effectiveness of public education. We have got to start changing the way school is taught.
Education is our only way of fertilizing the crops, and it is faltering.
The first six years of school need to be well structured, but still allow students to think. Basic skills such as reading and math have to be taught, enforced and reinforced. These are the backbone of a good education in any field. Only when the rudiments are mastered can a student reap the full benefits of the remainder of his education. These basic skills have to be taught, not hidden behind technology.