Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?

The low priority on arts and creativity in public school education is what prompted us to enroll our children in Waldorf education(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldorf_education). Although our kids attend a private Waldorf school (Cedarwood School, http://www.cedarwoodschool.org), there is a public charter Waldorf inspired school starting in Portland next year called the Village School (http://www.portlandvillageschool.org/). Although Waldorf education is certainly not the only way to teach creativity and arts, its unique approach to education of the whole child (Head, Heart and Hands) stands as an example of how we can develop capacities in our children that go beyond the narrow financial goals that were developed during the industrial revolution. True creativity is the key to our success as a people in the next generation, because, as Einstein said, "The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the same level of thinking with which we created them."

As a parent who watched the Portland Public Schools fail my two daughters I say that the emphasis on 'creativity', 'sensitivity', 'diversity' and all the other '...ity' ideology is what is dooming our society.

I watched as my daughters didn't have to memorize spelling or even multiplication tables. I watched as homework was handed out sparingly and responsibility for the work was non-existent (in other words, if they did it fine, if they didn't fine - they were passed along, getting good grades regardless). I now watch two women who are struggling in community college to master the subjects and tools that they should have learned in grades K - 12. You might be a great artist, if you can't do math you'll get cheated. Worse, if your career in art fails, then where is the person left.

School should be where basics are taught, they aren't. Creativity (another '...ity') is NOT something that school time should be spent on.

I agree, creativity or the environment to foster it is sadly lacking in schools today. Public schools are becoming so adamantine in the eay they do things, I don't think it will ever change. I mean tell me the last major change that happened in the public school system.

You either have entrenched mindsets of that is how we have always done things or the union fighting change. This is why the "progressive" movement is so deceptive, I think it is merely reinforcing the status quo.

At last a voice in the wilderness crying truth!!!! Three cheers for Sir Ken Robinson and his crystal clear take on our present educational system world wide. As a mother of an exceptional child who was told he would never learn to read, I concur with every word. My son is now a world-famous musician writing his own songs and leading his own band living in Hollywood with a following of thousands. Thank God I ignored the educational advice of the so-called "experts" and followed my heart. The world is much richer for it! Long live Sir Ken Robinson! I love you!