The Globe and Mail - Margaret Wente Columns

For whom the bell curve tolls

Sat, 6 Sep 2008 00:00 EDT

Whenever I write about higher education, I get letters like this: ''A large percentage of our students come into college woefully unprepared. Close to half of our first-year students in business are unable to maintain a 2.0 average in their first year, the standard required for advancement and graduation. ... A large percentage have poor note-taking skills, below-average reading comprehension skills, and an inability to solve problems and complete projects without being given step-by-step to-do lists.''

The culture wars are baaack!

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 01:08 EDT

This soap opera is entertaining, but it makes American democracy look fundamentally unserious

The culture wars are baaack!

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 01:08 EDT

This soap opera is entertaining, but it makes American democracy look fundamentally unserious

The culture wars are baaack!

Thu, 4 Sep 2008 00:00 EDT

It took Sarah Palin to turn the dull old Republican convention into an amazing show. Finally, someone who might beat Barack Obama in the ratings! Who cares about geriatric white men in suits? But who wouldn't tune in to see a scrappy dame sock it to the elites? You can keep your degrees from Harvard, your snotty New York Times and your non-fat soy lattes sprinkled with arugula. Sarah Palin eats mooseburgers for breakfast, and she will destroy you!

Palin's drive for family values hits a bump

Tue, 2 Sep 2008 00:26 EDT

The Alaska Governor's nomination isn't another breakthrough for women, it's an insult.

High-school daze: In Ontario, failure is not an option

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 01:10 EDT

Some kids can get away with murder, and all the other kids know it. The teachers have been pushing back

High-school daze: Failure is not an option in Ontario

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00 EDT

When I was a kid, everybody knew the rules and the penalties for breaking them. When the teacher walked into class, you stood up. If you arrived late, you got a late slip. If you were late a few times, you got a detention. If you handed in an assignment late without a good excuse, you were marked down, and if you were caught plagiarizing, you got a zero.

Just call the stupid thing and get it over with

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:11 EDT

The election next door is a battle of the titans. Ours is a battle of the midgets

Just call the stupid thing and get it over with

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00 EDT

Watching Stephen Harper do his election striptease is not an edifying sight. We all know where this is going. So why does he have to be so coy? Please! Just call the stupid thing and get it over with!