From: Justin Escher Alpert To: "[email protected]" Cc:
"[email protected]" ; "[email protected]" Sent: Friday,
December 19, 2014 9:59 AM Subject: Where Do We Put the Common Core
Volumes? Dear PARCC: I have just heard the most wonderful thing. I
have heard that you have developed the most perfect test to see if
our children are ready to move Forward. You have condensed
everything that is important into a quantum of intelligence that
fits in, what, a few volumes at best? Less than, say, an old-school
Encyclopedia Britannica? Something that can be strained through,
720 dpi, perhaps? I would like to order a complete printed set of
your volume of knowledge for my local public library you know as a
donation. Now, I am sure that there will be some big ceremony
thanking me and maybe even the Mayor himself will give me the Key
to the Township. But what is really exciting will be The Debate
Where do we put this attenuated Book of Advance Intelligence? Now,
some would argue that it should go right up in front, for EVERYBODY
to pass it by. But I would argue differently. I would argue that
this abundance of revelation should go: Beyond the books of
generalities; and past any other philosophy. Beyond the testaments
of the poets and artists and dreamers; and the ideas that keep us
working together. Through the section on how we communicate with
each other. Down the stairs, past the order and structure of the
world around us. Keep walking right past the section on how things
tick, and beyond the creative mind. I assure you, we will be there
soon. Past past intellect; and just beyond all that ever was...
There. On that empty shelf. Its own section. The Eleven Hundreds.
Wear it proudly. And somebody ought to fix that flickering light
bulb you know in case anybody ever comes to drink from this
fountain. So, how much will a set of your printed Common Core
materials set me back? To whom may I make a check? Very truly
yours, Justin Escher Alpert Livingston, New Jersey
