Ford, GM & US Education: Living in a Box?

You've probably seen these headlines: US Schools Lag Behind; College Grads Deficient in Basic Skills...

I've read expert comments about the results of these recent research studies, stating that much of the issue surrounding the lack of skills in students and graduates is due to teachers and educators instructing inside the box. That is, when educators instruct in the classroom, they don't let their students use their knowledge and creativity in every day situations. It is allowing that thinking and working "outside of the box" that students are missing.

Part of the issue is that schools and colleges are not in the business to teach students how to understand a credit card offer or balancing the checkbook. Nooooo, they are in the business of teaching them readin', 'ritin', and 'rithmetic (and then expound upon that in college).

Nothing beats the experience of figuring something out on your own, even after you fail, and fail again. Look at Einstein, Edison, Bill Gates... all college dropouts.

So, what's this got to do with the widespread layoffs and changes at Ford and GM? Well, there's a lot of similarities between the two, if you think about it. Ford and GM are restructuring because of foreign competition. The same is true with US education. In fact, neither groups can hold a candle up to their past successes. We've lost that competitive edge, both in innovative industry and excelling education.

Why? I don't think it is so much that we have gotten worse, in as much as we haven't advanced like our competition. I enjoy driving my 1994 Toyota Corolla, and plan to enjoy driving it for many years to come. Why? Because it is dependable. It is not a Fix Or Repair Daily vehicle. It is not tempramental and doesn't break down on me without reason. I also have in my possession a 1997 Chevy Malibu (I didn't buy this one, long story...). It is a good car. It has a lot more balls in it than the Corolla, but it also eats gas more than the Corolla. But I don't feel comfortable in it, like I do in the Corolla.--This is why Ford and GM are struggling to compete. Ok, probably not top on their list, but it is on mine. And, probably a lot of others, too.

Have you noticed how many of the American-origin car manufacturers (i.e., Ford, GM, etc.) are styling their new vehicles to look just like their foreign counterparts? That's because they want people to think their cars are just as good as their competitors, that they are in the same league. However, you can't mimic the quality and feeling of foreign cars. After test driving the VW Touareg, I noticed it has such a commanding style compared to its US imposters, and a feel like it is solid (btw, that wood look on the dash--that's real wood). Cheaper made vehicles cannot equal that feeling of being solid and dependable.

So, how does that convert to education in the United States? Regarding school education, there are so many variables that distinguish the education of our youth, including the rise in divorce, the rise in students who must be drugged due to apparent ADHD or another type of mental issue to be in the classroom, the fall of discipline in schools, and the rise of dual income homes where both parents must work to make ends meet. Put on top of that the rise in costs to educate our students have risen way above the adjusted rate of inflation.

Sigh. These are among the reasons why US students, and US industry is declining against foreign competition. Educators, school boards, and car manufacturers do not seriously address our competition and truly understand and get a grasp why foreign students or vehicles are exceptional compared to ours. They don't get why the foreign cars are selling (or foreign students are excelling) and translate that into their own product. And, they aren't innovative to think beyond the box and see how they can take the concept of solid dependability (or scholarly achievement) and make it even better.

Why? Maybe it costs too much. Maybe it would involve them to think. Maybe they get too many headaches from thinking too much. Maybe they have been living in a box way too long.