With 1,750 modules to present the core K-12 curricula what would a single module look like? You'd have to complete 134 modules to finish the average year of studies. With 32 weeks of school per year you'd be looking at 4-5 modules per week. That would permit 5-6 hours of classroom time and 2 hours of homework per module.

Each module would present two hours of recorded lecture (in one, two or three episodes), include two hours of hands-on workshops and two hours of homework. One hour of testing at the conclusion of each module would assure mastery of the topic before students moved on. Diagnostics attached to the testing would pinpoint areas of misunderstanding to be addressed prior to retesting. A score of 100% would be required to advance. Achieving a passing score of 80% would allow instant retest of only the missed questions after a brief review.

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Consider a specific example:

My high school chemistry text book contains 25 distinct chapters. They fit nicely in 20-30 modules. These are the same topics covered in the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum for Chemistry. Here are a few candidate modules:

1. Atoms and molecules
2. Elements and valences
   
3. The periodic table of elements
   
4. Orbitals and the Electronic Structure of Atoms
   
5. Chemical Bonds - two modules
   
6. Structure of Molecules - two modules
7. Chemical Reactions and Calculations -  five modules
8. Acids and Bases - two modules
   
9. The families of elements in the columns and rows of the periodic table - five units
10. Intro to organic chemistry - three modules
    

These 20 module candidates give me a nice feeling that Chemistry I could be nicely packaged into modules with great graphics, compelling  lectures and excellent workshops, labs and homework packages. There would be time left for lab work and even field trips.

Advanced students could finish the modules in 24 weeks and be able to start additional modules ahead of schedule. Average students would finish all the modules in 30 weeks with a couple of weeks to spare in the school year. All students would be monitored as they completed modules. Taking longer than 2 weeks to complete a module would trigger some form of review and remediation.

Why do we force every teacher to reinvent the wheel?

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Algebra I would fit easily in the equivalent of 25 modules.

1. Basics like the concept of a variable, set theory and logic could each be modules on their own or they could be combined in an introductory or reinforcement module.
2. Linear Functions with discussion of domains, ranges, etc would be two or more modules
3. Graphing concepts introduce the Cartesian coordinate system and a taste of analytic geometry, introduce other coordinate systems
   
4. A module on DRT problems shows how equations are used in real life and teaches how to reduce a word problem to a math model. A second module could introduce systems of equations for multi-variable problems.
   
5. A more advanced module could show how to solve polynomial equations building from the least sophisticated methods to the most general.
6. Logarithms and exponentials
7. Arrays and matrices
   
8. Data and probability
   

Another 25 modules would make up Algebra II. 25 more each for Geometry I, Trigonometry, Advanced Math, Calculus I. Math could really flow. Advanced students could rip through this stuff at their own pace and be into Advanced Placement topics with college credit before leaving High School. More typical students would gain mastery of the topics and be well prepared for commercial and industrial careers.

Mr. Wright is a legendary Calculus teacher at Jesuit High School in New Orleans. His class has generated more 5's (perfect score) on the Scholastic Testing Board's Advanced Placement tests than any other teacher in America. Why not ask him what to include in the AP Calculus Curriculum? I bet he'd get along very well with Ron Howard and we'd get a product even more valuable than the movie Apollo 13.

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Spelling - Teach the regular forms and spelling rules shortly after introducing the ABC's then reinforce every other year. Build vocabulary constantly requiring students to learn 50 words a week throughout their studies. Every module could introduce at least 10 new vocabulary words and test for spelling and comprehension at the end of the module. A fun module could show how spelling bee champions do it. Show how spelling and grammar correcting software works.

Grammar - One module might demonstrate all the parts of speech to set context, then provide an introduction to the passive and active voice, and introduce the indicative and subjunctive moods. Show it in English, Spanish, French and Latin. Another module could show how to diagram a sentence. Modules could include Russian, Farsi, Chinese, Hindi, and Japanese segments so students realize that people around the world have different ways of communicating. Discussion of syntax, semantics, context, connotation and other linguistic topics should be included in the high schools.

Reading - is a core lifetime skill that everyone can master and enjoy. In addition to the basic skills and an introduction to literature there should be more library studies and examination of popular literature. Review of Cliff's Notes and Condensed books has been shunned by the education system, but should not as they can amplify exposure with a certain loss of depth that can be explained and understood. Speed reading techniques can help everyone. Everyone from third grade up should have time to read at least ten books during school hours during a school year and ten more at home. Lots of kids struggle with reading not because they are poor students but because they have difficulty seeing. Eye tests should be conducted frequently enough that "no child is left behind" for truly preventable reasons.

Writing - technique is fine, but practice is better. Students should be encouraged to write something every week. A paragraph, an essay, a poem, a book review, a persuasive argument, a newspaper article, a technical report, a political diatribe. Something every week. Although the paper may be turned in for a science module, it would also be turned in and evaluated for its writing skill. Grammar, spelling, structure, cohesion, voice, vocabulary would be evaluated for each type of paper. Training in different techniques would help students understand the difference between literature, popular novels, technical papers and business communication. eMail and Instant Messaging, and personal blogs need to be added to the curriculum.