I recently had the pleasure of joining The John Curley Show on KIRO Newsradio for a wide ranging conversation.
John is a fantastic host, and I was so thrilled to be there.
We started with a laugh about my “James Bond of SAT Tutors” moniker but quickly dove into a topic I’m deeply passionate about: the current war on knowledge in our education system.
We explored what’s causing it, who is waging it, and what we can do to fight back.
Keep reading below for a look at our conversation. Or click here to watch the full episode.
Table of Contents
The War on Knowledge
After a fun, dramatic intro from John, we got right to the heart of the matter. He brought up an article I wrote for The Free Press titled “The War on Knowledge” and asked a direct question: who is waging this war?
It’s a great question. In my view, this war stems from a fear of inequity and measurement. True education, focused on quantifiable knowledge, inevitably creates a hierarchy of outcomes. Some students will perform better than others.
I believe that people who are afraid of this natural inequity, whether consciously or not, are pushing an agenda that de-emphasizes knowledge itself.
I wrote more about this article on my blog. Click here to read about it.
The Problem with Equity
John and I agreed that life isn’t fair, and there is no true equity in natural outcomes. Even twins have different IQs. Attempting to force equal outcomes in education is not only impossible but also counterproductive. When the goal shifts from merit to manufactured equity, the entire system suffers.
This mindset leads to what we see in modern education today: a smoothing of the edges. We avoid grading harshly to protect feelings, which can result in a system where everyone becomes equally uneducated. It reminds me of Kurt Vonnegut’s short story, “Harrison Bergeron,” where in the pursuit of total equality, the most talented individuals are handicapped to bring them down to the average. I can’t help but wonder if a version of that is happening now with the rise of anti-test movements and rampant grade inflation.
Winning the Battle
So, if our schools are moving away from foundational knowledge, how can anyone win this battle? The solution is simpler than you might think.
Almost all standardized tests measure three core skills: reading, grammar, and math. The single biggest barrier I see for students is that they are not elite readers. In an age of shrinking attention spans, the ability to engage with complex texts is a superpower.
My number one tip for parents is to get your kids reading. This doesn’t just mean fun, light books. Encourage them to read material that will expand their minds with complex ideas and advanced vocabulary. This is the fundamental skill that fuels success on standardized tests and, more importantly, in life.
Conclusion
The core issue we’re facing is a cultural shift away from foundational knowledge. When objective facts are seen as secondary to feelings, we risk losing the critical thinking skills necessary to thrive. Intelligence is grounded in facts; it’s the ability to use a base of knowledge to solve new and complex problems.
The good news is that we can fight back. It begins at home, by fostering a love for deep, challenging reading. Building this one skill is the most powerful thing you can do to equip a student to succeed in a system that is increasingly failing to do so.
Enjoyed reading this? Click here to watch the full episode.