Recently I ran into one of those perennial educational sticky questions that operate on different levels. The question operates on a range from the philosophical to the pragmatic, and, regardless of the level at which the conversation takes place, emotions can fly high. The question takes several forms, but basic variations are, “Can everything be measured?” or, “Can every kind of learning be measured?” One unspoken question is, “Should learning be measured?”

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A very nervous young bride-to-be was counseled by her pastor on a way to stay focused on getting through the ceremony. “Take it one step at a time,” said the minister, “When you enter the church tomorrow, you will only be walking down the aisle you’ve walked down many times before. Concentrate on that. And when you get halfway down the aisle,” he continued, “concentrate on the altar, where you and your family have worshiped for so many years. Concentrate on that. And as you reach the end of the aisle, your groom will be waiting for you. Concentrate on him.”

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