01/04/2026
Schools thought children would learn to read by just being surrounded by words and books. They didn’t.
Schools thought children would embrace and enjoy math if they were just given more opportunities to “discover” it on their own. They didn’t.
Schools thought children would become better equipped citizens of the United States if they were just given plenty of opportunities to “use their voices to be agents of change”. They didn’t.
For too long, schools have failed to explicitly and effectively teach the very basic concepts and knowledge that children need to become well-educated, virtuous citizens. Schools have relied on “progressive” education trends and the belief that children learn through groovy osmosis rather than good instruction.
The result is a generation that lacks critical literacy and numeracy skills, has a very distorted and negative view of the United States, and is more interested in being seen and heard than being accurately informed.
This is a clarion call for real reform in k-12 education. It will require parents, teachers, and school leaders understanding what’s at stake and caring enough to do the hard (unpopular?) things to make it right. I sincerely hope that everyone involved answers the call.
https://x.com/i/status/2007793788677144935