Subject:     Re: Mallard Fillmore
Sent:        10/18/96 11:03 AM
Received:    10/18/96 12:05 PM
From:        Barbara B Krueger, [log in to unmask]
Reply-To:    [log in to unmask]
To:          [log in to unmask]

Recently, Fred Worth sent a bunch of excerpts from the more recent
Mallard Fillmore Comic strips, which covers public schools and "creative
spelling." Fred then went on to discuss "creative math" classes taking
place in some schools. Reading about getting credit for answers which
although wrong were "close" made me think of a local case in point -

Our state is currently involved in a bridge-building project over the
harbor in our largest city. It is costing taxpayers millions of dollars.
Well, having hired the very best engineers work started. The bridge was
to be built from the two sides and was to meet, logically, in the middle.
After many delays, and a long period of time, the citizens began noticing
that the bridge was about to meet and be completed. Hooray, we all
thought. WRONG! Due to some "creative math", although the figures came
out "close" there was a major MISTAKE -- the bridge DOES NOT meet in the
middle. In fact the calculations were 3 inches off, which meant that
there is not a 1 foot gap off center! Now, our million-dollar bridge will
cost an additional 250,000 dollars to FIX! Now, do you think we should
affirm the self-esteem of this brilliant engineer, and pay his salary
because he was CLOSE in his calculations?! Makes ya' wonder about what
our future will be like when we hear of public schooled children involved
in "creative" classes! Sure makes me glad I'm homeschooling!

Thought you'd all get a kick out of this story...which is sadly VERY true!

Have a great weekend all! Barb