Missing

A post-perspective analysis of current day trends

The topic came to mind the other day and struck a chord in its realm. It was a chord as deep as an organ blaring out one of Beethoven's masterpieces. It was loud and clear. And it was a response to a question that provided the fuel for such a musical buzz.

When recently asked about the public school system, of which there can be several topics to address, one question stood out because it was so awesome: what is missing from today's public school system? 

Again: what is missing from today's public school system?

Well, certainly are SEVERAL potential responses here, including the one I'm about to provide. But, truth be told, they are mere responses. For unless these chords enter the mindset of all the legislatures and lawmakers whom govern the rules and standards of several public school systems and cease to have so much say-so on matters, chords of ideas are where our responses shall remain. 

So, without further adieu, my instinctive reply was quick and simple: more creativity, or creative outlets. Whatever capacity creativity finds itself could be "implemented" as an alternative, productive means to the over stressed need for State-mandated Testing that governs the system and the accountability that ensues its outcomes.

Now for the slightly elaborated, slightly thought-provoking wordy response. (Feel free to not continue reading if you have no interest in this or do not care for another rambling about an issue "you've heard before.")

As a student of and former/potentially future employee of two public school districts, creativity is one thing severely lacking in and among the public system(s). 

Public school systems are, in my deeply humble, yet honest, perspective, relying too much on structure and order, discipline and "allowed" behaviors leading to Testing results without letting young minds flourish in the arenas of creative outlets. I mean, sure, there are classes and avenues to develop young talent--dance, studio art, writing groups and after-school clubs and the like. And they are absolutely encouraged, for the right reasons. However, the "main emphasis" is and has always been in the dominions of Math, Science, Histories/Cultural Sciences, and Reading placements; these are the areas where their minds, those of youth and young people mind you, will "matter." Testing. Everything else is "fine"--so long as there is some sort of realistic, concrete, your-mind-is-skilled-at-this-so-do-that area of expertise. 

The realms of Picasso, Edgar Allen Poe and Aaron Sorkin and Yoyo Ma do not "guarantee" job placement or career endeavors, such as the accountant or Salesman. Please do not misunderstand me. I understand the "need" for the latter two professions--someone is entrusted to learn and carry out the professional duties and tasks needed to make sure financial stability remains intact; to ensure the right products are delivered to the right consumers, patients or areas of demand so that people may continue to live more peaceful and productive lives. I get it. Certain roles are needed, yes. 

Let us not forget, though, that we all need a means to forget about all the worries of the world, if just for a few temporary moments. One way to reach such a short-term, joyful memory loss is by entering the worlds where vision and creative talent meet for all to see and enjoy. 

By not allowing more creativity to be an outlet for such creative minds (ask the animators at Pixar and Disney studios how, where and when they first realized their finest talents were with drawing, storytelling and digital media), we may not have what we call "The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences", "The Oscars", "The Grammy's" or any of the Live awards shows we have. We wouldn't even bother glamorizing and celebrating the sheer genius of the "Lady Gaga's" and Ed Sheeran's. 

So yes, the critical thinking needs of the Algebra's, Physics and lessons gained from the heroic and brutal tales of World History (far too many to mention here) are important for young people to come to know and understand...for their own applicable use.

Critical thinking skills shouldn't be the "be all, end all" of all productive outlets. God knows every teenage kid will more than likely not grow up to program 32 gigabyte cell phone memory drives; find the cure to meiosis-related diseases causing cellular mutation found in certain family genes in different areas of the world causing potential global health concerns for tourists and immigrating families; come to realize why Hitler's motives are still in question today and why our 2017 global leaders may or may not have learned from his strategies and tactics. 

Critical thinking skills are necessary; but creative thinking skills are just as necessary. For if they didn't exist, we all may not care about the device we call "Apple iPhone 7" now would we? Nor would we care that Walt Disney's legacy was to inspire such creativity that people leave the performance wanting to see it over and over again--even if it meant acquiring George Lucas' legacy and the captaincy of the storytelling world. 

Creative is not missing. We just need more of it, whether we choose to admit it or not.

Author's Note

This is in response to a '500 Writing Prompts' Q&A. Any feedback, input, or directive ideas are welcomed. Any potential-sounding insults are not intended, just made from observed perspectives.

Reviews

[thewritinggirl]

I agree with the need for more creativity in schools. At my daughters school, the have a "Write Away" every morning. The principal or another teacher or a student shares an idea and the whole school takes 30 mins and writes a response to their prompt. She recently told me it was the best part of the day. They also read their Write Aways aloud and a selected few from each grade get to share with the entire school over the PA system everyday. They love it!

[alanwgraham]

You have explored a very relevant issue in education here. Your conclusion that we don't have to choose between subjects such as maths and science involving more logic and the creative areas is obvious and I think your conclusion that we need more creative activities is correct.
I'll be honest and say that I did find some of your analysis quite hard to follow. Reading and rereading for meaning is is always time well spent and I know I don't always get it right. I think that by simplifying your sentence structure and cutting unnecessary words and phrases it would make it more understandable. As an example -
When recently asked about the public school system, of which there can be several topics to address, one question stood out because it was so awesome: what is missing from today's public school system?
Again: what is missing from today's public school system?
could be simplified to -
When recently asked about the public school system, one question stood out: what is missing from today's public school system?
You did ask for feedback and I always welcome it myself - even though I don't always agree with it!
All the best,
Alan