I suspect that the person or persons who helped President Obama create the slogan “The Race to the Top” aren’t keen observers of actual cross-country races, or running events in which any and everyone are invited to participate. For if they were, they would have realized that this slogan is more appropriate for the current state of education ― not the future of education. Let me explain:
People, who are unfamiliar with cross-country running, usually have theoretical or romantic beliefs about the sport. Essentially, they picture in their minds a group of well trained and highly motivated runners arriving at race sites, then taking their position on the starting line, as soon as the command “Runners to the starting line” is given, then sprinting away, when the starting shot is fired, with the goal of finishing first. While this is true of cross-country team competition, in which selected teams are invited to compete, it’s certainly not true for “open participations” in which everyone is invited to compete.
“Open participation” runners are like students in today’s schools; their intent places them into various groups:
The first group consists of the elite or professional runners. They’re like the A+ students in schools. They take the business of being the best and the business of winning very seriously. They live to compete, love to compete, and they are excellent competitors, who usually win.
The second group consists of the very good or hard-working runners. They’re like the A- or B+ students in schools ― especially the ones who have chores before and after school at home. They are aware that their other responsibilities or lack of “elite running ability” will probably keep them a notch below the elite runners.
The third group consists of the practical runners. They’re like the students who are always hoping to earn a better grade than the grade the earned in the last grading period. Practical runners are always trying to achieve a personal best performance. They compete against themselves.
The fourth group consists of the social runners and walkers. They’re like the students whose cultures place more value on cooperation than on competition, and students who enjoy socializing more than making good grades. Social runners and walkers go to races because they are social events or “outings” in which they can run or walk while holding conversations, throughout the entire race, with their friends. Social runners, like social students, have no desire to perform better than anyone. Their desire is to interact with as many folks as possible, help others if needed, and have a good time!
The fifth group consists of the unprepared or the “Oh- Ma’-Jesus!” runners. They’re like the students who come to school without their books, pencils, homework, and other tools for learning. Sometimes they skip school. Other times they are suspended for violations in school or arrested for violations at home. So although they are usually smart, they attendance are so inconsistent that it interferes with their achievements. Unprepared or “OMJ” runners usually begin their training by running one mile, each day, in the week prior to the races. They always perform poorly.
The sixth and final group consists of the by-standers. They’re like the unmotivated or reluctant students. By-standers, in running and in school, are quite comfortable standing on the sideline watching others participate. But the either have no desire to participate or they are afraid to participate.
These are the various groups that one finds in cross-country races that are opened to everyone. These are also the various groups that one finds in today’s classroom. In a literal sense, these are the actual groups, present in today’s classrooms. They are currently participating in President Obama’s Race to the Top!
