The current narrative on American secondary education would seem to tell the story of an unrelenting spiral into doom and gloom. The tale begins with our handwringing at the annual drop of U.S. students in international rankings on math and science scores. The arc of the story then climaxes when we realize, tragically, that our well-intended efforts to prepare students for success might also lead to the heartbreak of depression and anxiety. This talk will invite audience members to consider how the narrative of secondary education might be rewritten with a better ending. The key is to arm our students with the power of stories and conversations, analysis and problem solving, creativity and improvisation, and most significantly, wisdom, faith and love – all of which reside in the demesne of the humanities.

Dr. Mark Randolph has taught English at Greenhills School for 19 years. He previously taught at UM, Eastern Michigan University, and Washtenaw Community College. In 1990 he was selected to be UM’s Exchange Lecturer to the Phillips Universität, 
Marburg. He received his A.B. from Occidental College and his M.A. and Ph.D. in 
English Literature from UM.

This is the second in a six-lecture series. The subject is The Power of the Liberal Arts. The next lecture will be April 21, entitled TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE LIBERAL ARTS – AT UM AND ELSEWHERE