The Beginning to Their End

Sir Ken Robinson and Pasi Sahlberg decide to have dinner at Olive Garden to discuss their views over the current education system in America. Once seated at their table they order salads, but the salads are left untouched after being served because the conversation at hand is much more important than some dry greenery.

Robinson: "Excellence in education requires equity, not elitism."
Sahlberg: "So, you've read my book Leading Educational Change."
Robinson: "Yes, it was fair work for someone still reasonably new to the educational aspect of things. I must say I was surprised by not only your ideas but your interview at Dwight."

Sahlberg: "Simply speaking the truth, the fact of the matter is the people in America are blind in their ways of conformity, competition, and greed. Take away the burden of competition and make everything equal across the board gets rid of the greed."

Robinson: "Ah but the solution you believe your people found in Finland still holds a form of standardization as well as setting those children up for failure on how the world works. Once an individual leaves school they will look for work, and if we know anything about the work force it is that it's competitive. You must also understand your way of doing things would not easily work on this massive scale simply because the American economy is not fit for it."

Sahlberg: "Our system has its flaws in some aspect but we have at least started somewhere when it comes to the change of our system. There is no more segregation based on academia but an opportunity for diversity in the learning environment. With the standardized tests gone we are no longer putting children in a box but letting them have more expression so that they are more willing to learn."

Robinson: "Now that is something I can agree with, we teach children while they are young to always remember that they are one of a kind but they are just like everybody else. The only thing that truly separates us is our way of thinking. Let us toast to divergent thinking."
Sahlberg and Robinson: "Divergent thinking."
Waiter: "Excuse me gentlemen but sadly Olive Garden is closing for the night."

The two education leaders take their leave of the restaurant to head their separate ways, but before they parted Sahlberg had just one question.

Sahlberg: "If you and I were to take over the education in America, where would we begin?
Robinson: "The government would have to go first, to elicit change their would have to be less obstacles of opposition. Then we can eliminate the current Education Department and start from scratch with a more artistic and hands on approach to learning."
Sahlberg: "I guess Finland and England will be having more interactions when it comes to the take over of the United States."
Robinson: "Yes we shall."