When did education "jump the shark"?
If you remember Fonzi, of Happy Days television history, you may remember the episode which is responsible for the phrase:
JUMP THE SHARK Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster https://share.google/NJTnUla7IvCPkHdhK
For Fonzi, a shark, his black jacket and a pair of water skis did the trick. Could the show be taken seriously again? It was a ridiculous episode and cringe worthy on several levels. People evidently loved it. But when the term was coined in 1985, it was not meant as a compliment.
The definition includes "irreversible decline". It is a defining moment for a television show, even if the series continues to run. A website is devoted to the subject.
Two articles about schools, dealing with violent children, made me ask:
When did education jump the shark?
Public education is meant to foster a literate, educated society, working with parents. How are we doing?
Although I still have hope, what episode in education has created the decline? Make no mistake, the flags are flying and notices of danger are everywhere.
March 24, 1998 was a defining moment in my teaching career and life. Did I jump the shark or did the shark jump me? Trick question. Every aspect of my life started to change that day.
What date can you factor in? I am sure we would not be able to get a majority vote on one particular date, but I am willing to bet that April 20, 1999 was the episode when the decline took a deep dive into the darkness.
Alexa say the decline started mid 60's and in 2013 again, then deepening the decline as a result of the Covid lockdowns. Alexa said the lockdowns caused a "mudslide on an already eroding hill". Alexa used the word pandemic not Covid lockdowns. I was surprised she used mudslide. That is quite a visual.
So we can blame the recent decline on lies told, bought, sold and maintained. Do deep dives on your own. My opinion on the Covid errors are noted in my book and on this blog. School districts, people, do lie. Child abuse on a grand scale.
The article on the Indiana, Pa school district is irritating (see previous post). I hope it irritates you also. How many classroom evacuations?
Did you read the superintendents statement in the earlier post today? Which children's rights are getting protected? Thanks to the mom/lawyer who spoke up! Keep it public so they can not hide.
Then while following up on the Bend shooting, an article reports that the shooter was bullied in school. I saw the article on a local Oregon site but evidently national news has picked it up. Domestic issues, victim of violence, cognitive issues and he was not in school at 16? Legally he could have been receiving services until 22nd birthday, or am I mistaken?
The Governor of Oregon admitted that it will take years for the Bend LaPine community to recover. Money is being thrown around.
How about accountability?
How about why he targeted his former school?
The Columbine High School massscre was initially blamed on bullying. I care that kids are bullied. It is also a red flag that the shooter had been a victim of abuse at home. I care that kids learn vengeance and hurt other kids.
I presented to the school board on that in 1998.
I believe that using bullying or abuse as an excuse for vengeance and murder (unless immediate need of self defense) is part of the lies. Everyone should get better story writers.
I have posted a copy and paste link to IDEA. Special needs for help. It is not special rights to hurt anyone. Rinse snd Repeat amplified.
Did IDEA open gates to allow sharks to stay in a classroom in 2023? Remember JT?
Is anyone still mocking the Reading Specialist in Newport News? That viral video was killed by a school shooting the same week. I hope feet got stuck in the mouths of those who laughed.
Any daily uodates on Bend? Searched YT videos are several days old. No longer breaking news, just broken hearts? School is still not open in the victimized school. Who is not going back?
Bend, Oregon and Newport News got covered. The shootings bring in the news vans.
The real stories are like the one in Indiana, Pa or those not picked up by media but are still happening behind closed doors. The tragedy is slipping into the future. Mudslides can be deadly, so can shark attacks that no one listens to.
Every viral episode happens over time. When the deaths come, interest in the episode for most, takes about a week to peak. I checked with Alexa on that. She said breaking news, like a school shooting, lasts about a week before people move on.
How did the school in 1998 handle my closed door shark attack. It is good story, no breaking news. I'm still talking after all these years because the piece of the puzzle on prevention will not make headlines or an episode on Law and Order.
Jumping the shark is not a good idea.
From the Teacher's Desk with Love,
Matian R. Carlino
October 27, 2026 evening