We're all crazy

MANIFESTO

I was just poking around the New York Times site and found this gem:

A startling suggestion is buried in the fine print describing proposed changes for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders — perhaps better known as the D.S.M. 5, the book that will set the new boundary between mental disorder and normality. If this suggestion is adopted, many people who experience completely normal grief could be mislabeled as having a psychiatric problem.

What's so bothersome about something like this is its possible repercussions—especially in the world of education. I.e., more special needs resources will no doubt have to be employed in order to assuage simple feelings of grief.

There's not much question (at least, in my mind) that IDEA and its brethren have irredeemably changed American education—and not necessarily for the better. Since everybody and his brother now seems to be diagnosed with some psychological malady (The high incidence of the latest ailment du jour , autism, comes to mind.), all must be served—with a large price tag that takes away from all other educational programs.

As a result, class sizes increase dramatically, and the utilitarian goal of the greatest good for the greatest number is no longer served.

It's hardly a rational way to run an education program.