If the goal of public education is to create independent lifelong learners at the earliest opportunity,

why is it not the immediate objective?

If the creation of independent lifelong learners at the earliest opportunity is not the goal of public education, why is it not?

Who is still arguing that forming thought choirs;

children thinking and learning in unison for twelve years despite the fact that the choir members have nothing more in common really, than their age and a natural unwillingness to be pressed into conformity

or as teachers call it; cemetery seating, is the model for public education that will carry us into the third millennium?

Who wants to continue the relentless effort to standardize individual performance;

• the people who will make money off the effort to standardize individual performance, and

• the people who will get to wield all the power in the effort to so do.

Billions and billions and billions of dollars, untold numbers of school board members and superintendents wielding and spending enormous amounts of the public trust and treasure, all the while keeping a healthy chunk for use in their own interests.

The very best thing you can do for an learner of any age is to free them from unnecessary and unjustifiable restraint.  Else, it's like holding a long distance race and requiring runners to form up again every time the group crosses the start/finish line.  Even if you could do it, why would you want to?

Independent lifelong learning at the earliest opportunity, along with cumulative testing consistent with the need to demonstrate satisfactory learning and proficiency. Standards? hell yes.  Actual honest accountability? hell yes.  Diplomas and certifications that actually mean something? hell yes.

Herding kittens?  why?  even if you could do it, why would you want to?

• unless you could make a billion or two off it, or 

• unless you could get to spend the enormous power that the people entrust to an executive and administrative governmental oligarchy, or

• both?

Think of the money and the children who will be saved.