George, just as Thomas Sowell is thankful he received his education prior to the condescension and lowering of expectations of “affirmative action,” I’m glad I finished my high school years right before the protection of students’ self-esteem gained primacy in pedagogic practice. My senior-year English research paper was the toughest paper I ever had to complete ? not only were we graded on substance, grammar, and sources, but also our teacher measured our footnote spacing with a ruler. My Apple IIc, with some finagling, could produce the proper spacing ? but our teacher, Mrs. Perry, didn’t show enough contemporary concern for her students’ “feelings” in order to allow our intentions to serve as proxy for adherence to proper form and content.
Shockingly, we learned a great deal from this very exacting woman, although given all the stress and frustration we endured in fulfilling her assignments, grief-ridden educrats may now worry about their effects on our li’l psyches.
