Variety

To be an effective commentator, I am now reading seven different news sites on a daily basis. I am placing my focus on news relating to national and local needs; the variety gives great perspective and clarity on important topics. Each agency tries to show how they have the latest, most accurate information but the story is complete only when you see it from a three dimensional perspective. Think of a child’s alphabet block. On one side you see the letter “B” (in green) but when you turn it to the left, it has a picture of a cow. Turn it to the left again and it’s the letter “O” (in red). Turn it to the left again and it’s a picture of a pineapple. Flip it over and there’s the letter “K”, then the same cow, and a number 2 (followed again by the picture of a pineapple). If you only observed the block from the green “B” side you are only getting 1/6th of its content. Only when you move around content will you see the full picture. Find a variety of sources, read them diligently, and you will be able to see clearly what is going on and what you need to do about it. Too often parents, "professionals" (teachers, administrators, and pundits), and stake holders take advice from "experts" without evaluating what makes that person an expert. Education is not something to be take at face value. There is a wealth of knowledge to access that will help fit your ideas and needs. To access this variety takes effort, but never trust just one source or location. Take some time, ask the same questions to six different "professionals" and then you will start to have your three dimensional perspective.