The Ministry of Magic and the Common Core

Discussions of the Common Core and other attempts at education reform appear almost daily in conversations, social media, and news outlets. Both sides of the debate are vocal and plead stridently for support of their cause. The Common Core is just one of many programs that have attempted to launch the United States back into the world’s top education systems (remember “No Child Left Behind” and “Race to The Top” anyone?) It can be argued that our country needs a better educational system. The main question, however, is how to get there.

While debating the merits (or demerits) of the Common Core system, a fellow ISI student reminded me of a fierce battle against interference from governing powers within a school quite dear to the hearts of many, namely Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

In the wizarding world, Hogwarts was the school of choice. That is, it was until the Ministry of Magic decided that the teaching was much too liberal and was producing a generation of witches and wizards who were not conforming to “Ministry approved ideas.” As Potter fans know, Dolores Umbridge – with support from the Minster of Magic himself – decided to make Ministry-approved changes despite the contrary wishes of professors and students at Hogwarts.

The Common Core may not be so sinister as the actions of the Ministry of Magic, but it does harken back to some common fears of the Federal government’s interference in state and local affairs. Can the government successfully create and institute an educational plan better than the states or schools themselves? Furthermore, should the government even be allowed to try? Does the uniformity of the factory-like lesson plans obliterate the practical wisdom and creativity of local teachers? We ought to ask these questions first rather than blindly follow the Orwellian slogans of “No Child Left Behind,” “Students First,” “and “Educators for Excellence.”