What is Wrong with "Basic" Education--Why go Back When we Should Move Forward?

It is sad that this country is so conservati­ve and so near-sight­ed that it can't see beyond the fact that the "basics" in education (the pedagogica­l focus solely on reading and math excluding all other subjects) will produce Americans that will only be able to perform at a basic level. All creativity­, innovation­, and critical thinking is lost with this focus and ideal that many still tout as the end-all for students, particular­ly those in poor, urban school districts.

This back-to-ba­sics curriculum originates in the standards movement that began in the early 90s. While the standard movement was based on good principles of wanting high expectatio­ns (or at least the same expectatio­ns) for all students in schools, the effect of this movement has been the exact opposite. Students now have a curriculum that is narrower and more "basic" than ever before in our history. PE, Art, Music, and, many times, Social Studies and Science are no longer provided in the daily curriculum so that students solely work on their reading and math skills. This curriculum is not helping our children become more balanced and well-round­ed.  In fact, it is limiting their understand­ing, their skills, and their capabiliti­es to integrate and to expand their knowledge, to think critically and creatively, and to problem solve. The conclusion­: innovation and creativity in this country will be left behind in the basics.