GAMING THE SYSTEM

IF ONE MORE YUPPIE, OVER-ACHIEVING PARENT COMPLAINS ABOUT THE WORKLOAD AND TIME CONSTRAINTS ON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS STRIVING TO ENTER THE ELITE, IVY LEAGUE COLLEGES, I'LL TELL MY EXAMPLE OF A SUCCESS STORY FROM THE GOOD OLE' DAYS AGAIN, FOR THE UMPTEENTH TIME. AP CLASSES (ADVANCE PLACEMENT) FOR WHICH HIGH SCHOOLERS GET COLLEGE CREDIT, SHOULD NOT BE DENIGRATED OR CANCELLED. THEY ARE OF VALUE 1. BECAUSE SMART YOUNGSTERS ARE UNCHALLENGED AND OFTEN BORED WITH REGULAR INSTRUCTION AND 2. THEY GIVE A LEG UP TO PUPILS IN THEIR COLLEGE PURSUIT. PARENTS WHO GRIPE THAT THEIR CHILDREN STRESS OUT FROM DEMANDING ACADEMIC COURSES, EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ARE DISINGENUOUS. THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT THAT THE ONLY REASON TO PURSUE AP AND EMBELLISHED RESUMES IS ENTRY INTO THE 'RIGHT' UNIVERSITY. RIGHTNESS EQUATES WITH PRESTIGE AND HIGH SALARIES UPON GRADUATION. AN EDUCATION IS IRRELEVANT. GAMING THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM FOR FINANCIAL SUCCESS STINKS; IT’S TAINTED INTELLECTUAL INTEGRITY. FORGOTTEN IS THE FACT THAT KNOWLEDGE IS ITS OWN REWARD AND THE POINT OF EDUCATION IN THE 1ST PLACE.

MY SUCCESS STORY FROM THE GOOD OLE' DAYS SHOULD BE INTERJECTED HERE. I ONCE WAS ACQUAINTED WITH A FELLA, WHO GRADUATED FROM A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL THAT ADMINISTERED A MUNDANE REGIMEN OF BASIC UNEMBELLISHED INSTRUCTION. MINUS A TRACK RECORD AS A 'STAR' OR SPECIAL STUDENT, THIS FELLA FROM A WORKING CLASS FAMILY, UNABLE TO AFFORD ANY ELITIST COLLEGE (OR TO EXPECT TO EVER MATRICULATE AT ONE) ATTENDED A COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR A YEAR. HE SAVED HIS MONEY FROM EMPLOYMENT AND WITH A LITTLE FAMILY ASSISTANCE, ENTERED A LOCAL UNIVERSITY THE FOLLOWING YEAR. HE DISCOVERED AN APTITUDE FOR A SPECIFIC MAJOR AND APPLIED HIS BRAIN TO ITS STUDY ALONG WITH OTHER REQUIRED AND ELECTED COURSES. UPON GRADUATION, THIS FELLA SCORED IN THE 98TH PERCENTILE ON THE GRADUATE RECORD EXAM. WHAT A LOSER! NO PUNDIT, POLITICIAN, PROFESSOR, EMPLOYER, ENTREPRENEUR OR PHILANTHROPIST WOULD EVER BEAT A PATH TO HIS DOOR, SINCE HIS HOUSE NUMBER REPRESENTED AN UNOBTRUSIVE, NONDESCRIPT, UNHERALDED ADDRESS.

BUT LOSERS WHO HAVE LEARNED A LOT AND LOVED IT ARE NOT GRIPERS. NOR DO THEY REGRET THE INTELLECTUAL EXPERIENCE. RATHER, LIKE THIS FELLA, THEY PERPETUATE IT, MAKING IT THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS IN LIFE. TODAY'S HIGH SCHOOLS TURN OUT A MAJORITY OF BARELY LITERATE, BORED AND VAPID MINDS. THE LITERATE OVER-ACHIEVERS, HELL-BENT UPON SELECTION TO ATTEND THE 'RIGHT' SCHOOLS, LEARN ONLY ENOUGH TO CLIMB THE LADDER OF WORLDLY SUCCESS. INTELLECTUALLY THEY FARE NO BETTER THAN THEIR PROLETARIAN INFERIORS.