For the most part, I like Strauss’ ideas here:

How to fix the mess we call middle school – The Answer Sheet – The Washington Post: “Let them learn about financial literacy by running small businesses. Knowing how to solve a geometric proof doesn’t help them balance a checkbook.”

I especially like the idea of encouraging middle school aged kids to be more entrepreneurial. It’s amazing what a 14 year old can do with free web publishing tools and a little geekery these days as a hobby.

Imagine what our country and world could be like if we were to turn the social crucible of the traditional middle school experience into a crucible of innovation and thought-provocation that young people might pursue the rest of their lives.

You may say that I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.