All Work And No Play

Two thoughts about the first post-Winerip NYT “On Education” column. First, on form, I hope it doesn’t turn into a venue for various activists. As I said, let’s get some real people in there, too. Otherwise, hire top talent like Joe Williams, Siobhan Gorman, or Mike Rose.

Second, on content, I’m very sympathetic to concerns that younger and younger children are entering a world of pressure and stress before they should. But the charter school that the author cites several times really doesn’t bolster that case for me because (a) it’s a public school of choice and (b) disadvantaged kids do need more structured schooling. Romantic notions about just giving them time to play may sell books for some authors who have turned it into an industry but do nothing to level the playing field for the kids.