New Math
I remember “New Math.” We’ve really never gotten over it. Even though teachers and students will tell you it’s a crock, the powers-that-be-continue to demand that it be taught in some variation or other in the public schools. New Math was all the rage in 1960 when I returned to school to get my teaching credential. It was going to be the answer to America’s lack of mathematicians and scientists. I don’t think it worked.
Now, apparently, there is a “New English.” It comes directly from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI or SPI, for short) in Olympia. Granted, I know this only second-hand, through Nyel, but since we are married and that makes us “as one” in the eyes of the law, I think I can speak to the situation.
The Lowest Common Denominator?
For twelve years, Nyel has held what is an “Emergency Substitute Credential.” Every three years it needs to be renewed which requires a letter of need from our school district and a check or money order from Nyel. This was the year. The deadline was June 30th. Our district did not notify Nyel as it has in the past, but he got everything done and dated and submitted by June 28th anyway.
The check cleared in mid-July.
At the beginning of August Nyel tried to contact the SPI to see why he’d not heard from them. A recorded message said they were several months behind in their processing and he would be notified… soon. He called periodically and could not get through to a live voice. He appealed to our school district who apparently has a magic number and finally was told that his paperwork was in a pile awaiting his “application.”
Renewal According to Roget
Nyel explained that he was not applying, he was renewing and was told that the rules changed in 2013 and that for “renewal” he would have to fill out the first two pages of the application packet. He did so and was told his paperwork could now be put in the “Rush Pile” (which might be an oxymoron in itself.)
Within two days (which put us into the last week of September) he was informed that because of his late “application” he would have to begin again and get fingerprinted (which can be done in South Bend or Astoria or Seaside but not here, can cost up to $70, and can entail another 30 to 60 day wait.)
Again, Nyel tried to contact the SPI to tell them that he is RENEWING not APPLYING, that he did so before the required deadline, etc. etc. Apparently his “rush” status is no more. It’s been a while and he has had no response. I can only think that “Renewal” and “Application” are now synonymous in the New English. And that’s probably the very best spin on it. Meanwhile, Nyel continues to lose employment opportunities and OBSD is being deprived of his services.
Actually, I have a lot of words in Old English that describe the situation. But… a trip across the river to fingerprint headquarters will probably be easier and faster in the long run.
Tell Nyel we all feel his pain. We’ve all been crippled and bear of scars of bureaucratic gobbledygook? is that word is in the Thesaurus?