Defining Smart

I've been thinking about how we in education can do a better job of explaining to students that being smart can be defined in many ways. For the most part, students measure themselves against other students, and through their grades and standardized test scores. The way I see it, there are many sub-categories. For example, there are those students who show a strong aptitude in mechanical ability; others for acting; still others for creating new ways to solve old problems.

But how do we measure these abilities? Generally, we can't in the traditional math/science/English/history academic model that we've had. What's important is to show them that they have this strong aptitude, and they should tap into it beyond high school. That may mean matching a post-secondary education to that strength, and perhaps avoiding those classes that give them the most trouble. With so many jobs and careers out there that require more than just reading, writing and arithmetic skills, schools need to do a better job of pointing this out to students.

Between President Obama and Me

Dear President Obama:

Over the past couple of years I have enjoyed listening to parts of your eloquent campaign speeches, and now that you are President I look forward to your press conferences. It's been quite a while since we've had someone in the White House who doesn't mangle the language, so when something is amiss, quite frankly we don't pay attention. We got used to all the strategeries and nuculars, and by the way, I'm a Grecian.

I know how careful and measured you are when it comes to communication, so there is one small but important correction you must make, and that is the use of "I" when you mean "me." Growing up we are told so often that it's incorrect to say "My sister and me..." that it should be "My sister and I..." we assume that at all times we need to use I. However, when we use the word between, as in "Between you and me, the economy will get better," we actually need "me," not "I."

I'm sure someone in your circle has been anxious to tell you about this, but as you know, it can be very awkward. Anyone who tries to is met with scorn, so people remain silent. There are some people who welcome corrections, those confident enough in what they know and say--someone like you. So, between you and me, I suspect that we'll see this little correction the next time you make a speech.