Is Mediocrity the New Definition of Success?

Today we got the next edition of our Nest program newsletter that updates us on the current "SDI Unit," in other words, what they do when they separate the Nest kids in each class and work with them, as a group, on interacting with one another and with several teachers (one runs it and several others take turns rotating through the group).

"SDI" stands for Social Development Intervention. The title of this unit is "Peer Interactions."

So far, so good. I like most of what I read in the newsletter. I read bout how they encourage and model thiking about others. I read about how they assign roles and work as a group. I read about how they work on flexibilty and cooperation in teamwork, and the work of agreeming on a single solution to a problem.

Then I get to this sentence: "Even when a solution doesn't work, it is 'good enough' because they worked as a team."

Um, No-o! Doesn't that just sum up the mediocrity that runs rampant in not only NYC schools but also government in general? (Oh, and Congregationalism at its worst, but that's another story.)

"It doesn't matter if anyone learns anything with this curriculum, because the whole education committee agreed on it!"

"It doesn't matter if we make any money at this because we all agreed to do it!" Yeah, that's good business sense.

Teamwork, yes. Having to go with the team's decision over your own, yes, sometimes it has to be done. I have no interest in anyone teaching my son that failure is OK simply because a decision was made as a group!