School Reform
Frequently Asked Questions 3

Shaun Kerry, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

Q. How could we organize and implement an apprentice program for the "bottleneck" professions?

A. The student would simply approach a person in that trade or profession and offer his time. The critical thing that the schools must do is to is to allow the student to have control of his curriculum, and to have skillful audiovisual programs that explain the fine points well.

Q.  In what specific ways does our current educational system reward conformity and discourage individuality and creativity?

A.  Primarily, the teacher is in charge, and the way to get good grades is to give him what he wants.  The solution is to allow the student to be in charge of his education and eliminate grades.  There is a great deal of theory behind this that is well worth reading.

Q.  You point out how important it is for teachers to learn how to recognize the special individual differences in each student.  I agree.  But in the real world, classrooms are often overcrowded.  In addition, teachers must teach a specific curriculum mandated by the school district.  Also, public school funding is often based on how well the students perform on standardized tests?  Given these obstacles and others, how is it possible for teachers to take the time to recognize and nurture the special individual differences in each student?

A.  For current teachers, give them time off to attend workshops on the new attitude.  Provide them with videos and other resource materials.

Q.  How can we limit control in the classroom when it is such a strong force and given the fact that we all must live function under a capitalist system that favors competition over cooperation.

A.  Capitalistic types are better organized and financed.  Social minded people have focused on symptoms rather than causes.  For example, recently we have seen huge demonstrations for "peace," which is too vague and lacking in focus.  At the present time, most social activists have a very weak conception of the things we are talking about in these web sites.

Q.  I agree that scapegoating and favoritism needs to be eliminated from the classroom environment.  Specifically, how do you suggest that I can begin to do that. 

A.  I recall that in the fifties, there was a campaign in the schools, using movies, designed to eliminate racial prejudice.  Where I grew up, it had a powerful impact.  My parent's generation talked about the "Jews" and the "nigers."  In my area, this kind of talk was stopped cold in it's tracks.  We can do the same thing with other social values.

Q.  I am confused about the concept of mindfulness.  How can I  increase mindfulness in myself and my family?

A.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  It is much easier when starting with a young child.  But begin with this simple, easy to read, book: Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life, by Thich Nhat Hanh.  Additionally, practice meditation. 

Q.  How can we increase the mindfulness found in my society?  How do we achieve the "mass mindfulness" that you speak of.  

A. This movement is increasing its membership daily. At some point it will reach "critical mass," and explode.  We are in the process of producing a dramatic feature film that will make a huge public impact.

Q.  How would one shift the role of the teacher from lecturer to education manger?

A.  The teacher would primarily be available, observant, a good listener and a problem solver.  He or she would support the students needs rather than control.  See The Quality School - Managing Students Without Coercion.  Glasser, William, M.D. (1998).

Q.  How can we convince the powers that be to implement the campaign reform to the internet?  I fear that writing to my representatives in government will not be enough.

A.  Right.  We need to educate and mobilize the activist community.  Our government will not move without huge public pressure.  Our film is designed to do this. 

Q.  How do we enable teachers in our schools to be less controlling and more empowering and guiding?

A.  A charter school is not bound by the same rigid regulations as traditional schools.  They can be designed after our model.

Q.  What is WORLD PROSPERITY'S response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001?

A.  We have a new web site devoted entirely to the causes and solutions of terrorism.

Q. What is WORLD PROSPERITY'S response to the Bush Administration's response to the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001?

A.  It tends to be overly militaristic and denies the responsibility that our government has had in evoking this.