Speakers: Richard Garrett, PhD, former executive and educator, author, Scientech Club member
Introduced By: Dick Garrett
Attendance: NESC: 94, Zoom: 26
Guest(s): Colin McAteer, Judy Hanna, Joyce Lytee, Sally Might, Larry Daly
Scribe: Dick Garrett
View a recording of today’s Zoom presentation at:
Today's Program 010824
Dick Garrett has been a member of the Scientech Club for 13 years. His last talk to the club was on Oct. 26th, 2016. His title was “The Kids are Smart Enough, So What’s the Problem?” That was a presentation on his first book that was released in December 2017. Today’s talk is about his second book, US Education Is in Trouble, Let’s Fix It! 22 Reform Proposals; this book was released by publisher Rowman and Littlefield in August of 2023.
Dick first became involved in educational reform in early 2013 when he led a team of 4 fourth grade teachers in his son’s elementary school (Marion County Indiana). This effort led to his first book which, among many other topics, presented a glum picture of US public school education. His second book arose from motivation from his wife, Bonnie. She pointed out that he had dug up enough negative material about education and that he should now apply himself to telling the public how to fix it. Whoa, Garrett said that’s a tall order; I don’t’ even know where to begin – Give it some thought she said, you’ll figure it out!
It took about three years to get ahold of this issue. Garrett basically began by isolating many of the ills suffered by the system then systematically worked to offer solutions. This is the content of book number 2.
The presentation begins with a look at the reasons a country should have a great education system. Basically, wealth flows to countries that provide the best education. He gives examples for Singapore and S. Korea. This works for states as well as countries. He gives a case study using 25 years of per capita incomes for both Maryland and Massachusetts. They both begin very close to each other in 1993 but 25 years later, 2018, the Massachusetts income is over $8,000 higher. Working this out for all 25 years in a spread sheet analysis shows Massachusetts with a $456 billion taxable income advantage. He argues that this additional taxable income was produced by a very successful Massachusetts educational reform program that began in the early ‘90s. This reform program propelled Massachusetts to the number 1 state for many years. A recent look showed them in the number 3 position.
The next 20 minutes of the presentation was devoted to watching a video that was crafted by a company called Book Trib of Westport, CT. They were commissioned to set up a marketing program to sell Garrett’s book and part of that included a You Tube video that introduces the book to the public. Garrett decided the video was the most pleasant, least painful way to introduce the book to the audience.
The last portion of the talk assumes the audience is an educational reform commission that has invited Garrett to explain what three issues should they consider as high priority reforms. The three are: Social Promotion, Setting and Maintaining High Standards and Reducing the Chances for a Lawsuit. His answers in sequence are schools must stop promoting children who cannot read – this will have a major impact on the quality of US public education. Make the state education administration responsible for academic standards for all schools, and to reduce the threat of lawsuits, move most cases to mediation and arbitration.
Prior to the meeting, Garrett placed copies of a shortened book review by a current professional educator on each table. This abstracted review is given below.
U.S. Education is in Trouble, Let’s Fix It! 22 Reform Proposals by
Richard W. Garrett An abstracted review by
Michael B. Colegrove, Ph.D.
1st sentence
U.S. Education is in Trouble, Let's Fix It! 22 Reform Proposals by Richard W. Garrett is a groundbreaking book that delves into the complexities of the American education system and offers innovative solutions for improving it.
Last paragraph
In conclusion, U.S. Education is in Trouble, Let's Fix It by Richard W. Garrett is a landmark work that offers a compelling analysis of the current state of education in America and presents a visionary roadmap for reform. With its rigorous research, persuasive writing, and innovative solutions, the book is a must-read for anyone invested in the future of education. Garrett's impassioned call to action and unwavering optimism make this book an essential resource for educators, policymakers, parents, and anyone seeking to champion the transformative power of education. It is a timely and urgent manifesto for change that will undoubtedly shape the national conversation around education for years to come.
Dr. Michael B. Colegrove PhD University of the Cumberlands Vice President Emeritus Professor of Education
Dick Garrett
