Brian Williams’ stock has been raised in my mind. I mourned the retirement of Tom Brokaw, the humble, self-effacing everyman. Brian Williams looked far too hairsprayed and polished for me. However, Brian does a great job of humanizing his newscasts with humor and humility, the two characteristics I admire most from people in the limelight. NBC has wisely caught on to the fact that when they put him in the field, Brian shines. He is a solid reporter and a man with a soft heart–the perfect combination for those of us  here in the midwest.

On tonight’s NBC Nightly News, Mr. Williams commented on a story about high school students who don’t know rudimentary facts about American history. With great indignation, he declared that students spend huge amounts of time on reading and math as compared to the time they spend on American History.

Guess what, Brian? At this point in time, most states don’t test American History, but they all test reading and math. Shouldn’t Education Nation understand that where high stakes tests lie, so too lies the double whammy of time and money? Therein rests one of the greatest frustrations of accountability testing. Being forced to focus on making the cut, beating out neighboring districts and racing to the top isn’t what is best for kids. Something has to give, and unfortunately instructional time in science, social studies, fine arts, foreign language instruction and other important academic endeavors are put on the back burner in the name of test prep.

You’re a good man, Brian, but next time look at the big picture.