The Problem with Trust

BBC recently began exploring education in other parts of the world, prefacing it with pointing out how those countries' programs are kicking the crap out of ours. They might have said "dookie," or something of that nature, but don't quote me on that last part since I most likely made it up. However you put it, something works better in these countries.

Today I read about South Korea, which isn't surprising because many of the youth are in school more than anywhere else. I don't think they mentioned shipping children abroad to study or high suicide rates, because that might harsh the buzz a bit. I may be biased from having lived here a while, but it seems the cost of that much schooling is too high.

Earlier we saw a story on TV about the education system in Finland. A news story asked why Finnish students get better results. They interviewed teachers and administrators then summed it up in one word-trust. The government doesn't get in the way, and pretty much lets the educators do their jobs. In return, the administrators trust their teachers to, well, teach. It's a novel idea, and for some reason it works. Trust. What a concept.

The libertarians are probably cheering right now, and I wish I could join you guys, but the problem is trust is only as good as the people you put it in. I know it's ridiculous, but I picture American educators given freedom and using it to give themselves lavish raises so they can rent limos. It sounds ridiculous, but how many administrators, given knowledge of bullying, actually put an end to it? There may be many, but I don't hear about that. There are enough who don't act to make it a problem, so my internal tug-of-war continues. I want to trust, but sometimes there are reasons not to.

On the one hand, we have a great system somewhere else that works. On the other hand, we have Wall Street greed and butt-covering educators in leadership positions who are allergic to the truth. Trusting them would be foolish. In the end, I'm glad I don't have to, no matter where these questions lead. In the end, my trust is in the Greater. And as Steve Martin said in the Jerk, "That's all I need." And an end to cat juggling. And a new limo.