Does the phrase “Windows HS: Microsoft designs a school system” completely scramble anybody else’s brain? Or is it just me?
I challenge you, dear readers, to find anything about how this new school (which cost Philadelphia taxpayers $63 MILLION) will improve education for the mostly African-American, mostly low-income students who will be attending the school. I also challenge you not to be horrified/appalled/bewildered by the following:
The high school will use an “education competency wheel,” patterned after a set of desirable traits Microsoft encourages among its employees. Officials, teachers and students are to be trained in dozens of skills, including organizing and planning, negotiating, dealing with ambiguity and managing relationships.
And this one:
Mundie said companies have long been concerned that schools aren’t churning out graduates with the skills and know-how that businesses require in employees to compete globally — and mental acuity is especially critical to Microsoft.
“Our raw material is smart people,” he said.
Maybe I’m being picky, but I’m not so sure that “churning out” is the best way to produce graduates. It sounds too much like something out of a bad 1970s sci-fi/thriller.
Anyway, I failed both challenges. Let me know how you fare.
