Dormand Long commented on a post by Bruce Baker. Baker criticized University of Arkansas study that hailed charter schools as more “cost-effective” than public schools. In other contexts, reformers have referred to children as “human assets” and “human capital.” This reflects the migration of business terminology into not only education but the way we think and talk about children. Frankly, as a mother and grandmother, I never thought of my children as “human assets.” To me, they were my children, my precious children.

Reader Dormand Long comments:

“It is interesting when one hears the term “cost-effective” used when a newbie enters the area of developing the next generation of our leaders of this country.

“When the pencil pushers took over at General Motors from the engineers, we heard acclaim of how they had found supply sources that were more “cost-effective” than before and how this would improve earnings per share performance.

“Might I suggest that GM Mary Barra would like to get her hands around the neck of some of those pencil pushers who gave the nod to those below standard ignition switches put on by assembly line workers from out of the parts bins?

“The term “value engineering” is critical to management. It is only valid as a process if there is absolutely no diminution of value or reliability to the customer.

“The surviving family members of those who lost their lives in the GM cars with the defective ignition switches probably have strong feelings when they hear the term
“cost-effective.”

“I know that GM CEO Mary Barra has very strong feelings when she hears that term.”