At the same time, I don't think it's all the school systems fault. Not all of the kids are focused only on grades. There are those that like learning. Which is a good set up for college, because most people aren't going to pick a degree they loathe if they're paying for it. They'll want to be there and learning, not just making the grade.
A very critical part of a school system is it's ability to measure the amount of learning. How esle could you know if you are getting better or worse over the course of time? Nobody, including Neil, has come up with a better way to measure than having grades. Maybe a school is doing it's job and the students are the ones who value grades more than learning. And maybe, in an attempt to appeal to a young generation of students, Neil is telling the kids that they're the victims in an unjust world. If he really cared he would be looking for a way to empower the youth instead of victimizing them.
In some countries, grades are calculated on personal progress, not on an "absolute level of knowledge/know-how", and it works. It fucking works.
Also, I think YOU read the message about how children are victims. We cannot know if there is "You poor little fellows" or "You can change that" behind this tweet, because 140 characters. Maybe one should ask him his real opinion on this subject, face to face, not in 140 characters.
If your true intent and message cannot be summed up in 140 characters isn't it irresponsible to throw out an undefended, incomplete 140 character thought?
Therefore, let's find 1) a way to get children to understand what education is all about, and 2) a way of grading children on their progress and honesty.
THAS RITE YOU LIL' CRACKERS OUT DERE! YOUZ BE ALL CHEETIN AND DELETIN ON YO' ACADEMEDY TESTS THAT IT MAKES YO' PO' OL UNCLE NEIL DEGREASY TYSON ALL DOWN IN THE MOUTH. WHY YOU LIL' CRACKERS GOTTA BE LIKE DAT? HOW YOU EVER GONNA BE A HIGH FALUTIN' SCIENCE NEGRO LIKE ME? LAWD HAS MERCY!
Also, I think YOU read the message about how children are victims. We cannot know if there is "You poor little fellows" or "You can change that" behind this tweet, because 140 characters. Maybe one should ask him his real opinion on this subject, face to face, not in 140 characters.