The question, during the Republican presidential debate in Iowa in early December 2007: “What educational standards does the U.S. need to adopt or improve to compete in the global economy, and what will you do to move us toward those standards, and what’s your timetable?”
The answer offered by presidential candidate Duncan Hunter: “Three words: Jaime Escalante and inspiration.”
Count those words again, Mr. Hunter. Personally, I think that America ought not to trust a man who cannot reliably count to the number four with the administration of the U.S. Department of Education.
(Source: New York Times, December 12, 2007)
Besides, you can’t have a national policy that says every teacher should be exceptional. It’s a Lake Wobegon model, and individual exceptionality isn’t something over which politicians have control. What Duncan Hunter’s policy really boils down to is: “Four words: Hope for the Best.”
No, no. If Duncan Hunter had that policy, it would be: “Three words: Hope for the best.”
Mathematication, Jim! Mathematication!