Disordered Goals or Policy Thoughts?

No one, not even the US Dept. of Education, believes that there is the slightest chance that all school children will be at grade level in reading and math by 2014. Yet this remains the central weapon in the NCLB privatization plan and in the Bush reauthorization fantasized for later this year.

When asked about this reality in Florida the other day, here is what Sec. Spellings said:

. . . .Spellings said she saw no reason to deviate from that goal.

"If we blink at this critical moment I think it will be a tragic thing for the country," she told lawmakers. "Why would we expect something different from somebody else's kid than we expect for our own kids? I want my kid on grade level today. I damn sure don't want her waiting until 2014.

From the Merck Online Manual:

Thought disorder refers to disorganized thinking, which becomes apparent when speech is rambling, shifts from one topic to another, and loses its goal-directed quality. Speech may be mildly disorganized or completely incoherent and incomprehensible. Bizarre behavior may take the form of childlike silliness, agitation, or inappropriate appearance, hygiene, or conduct. Catatonia is an extreme form of bizarre behavior in which a person maintains a rigid posture and resists efforts to be moved . . . .