Submitted by Haim, Feb 29, 2008 09:03

Mr. Nelson's initial analysis is brilliant, but his ultimate prescription is a shame. If you already happen to be a school that needs only to take care not to "ruin" its students, then you might very well get away with offering your students little more than "respect and affection", but what a missed opportunity, I think. How about some history lessons with all that respect and affection? Maybe a good science course, too.

On the other hand, Mr. Nelson's prescription is a disaster for schools that take in students who do not get, at home, the academic support and intellectual encouragement that Mr. Nelson's students enjoy in their homes. Respect and affection are lovely things, but by themselves they do not open your mind to the world, get you into college, or get you a job. For people who cannot afford such self-indulgence, "respect and affection" do not even begin to get the educational job done.

I am sure the Calhoun School is a great place, but it seems to me Mr. Nelson needs to get out a little more.

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