[Newspoetry] Paul Kotheimer, Corporate Employee

[Paul Kotheimer]

As of Sunday, 8/27/2000, I am employed by the KAPLAN corporation as a
teacher of the A.C.T. standardized college entrance exam.

KAPLAN is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Washington Post.  

A KAPLAN class costs $600 for eight weeks.

My three-day training period is paid at $6/hr., and requires an
approximate 1:2 ratio of unbillable to billable hours, for reading and
preparation.

In about a week, I can start working at $15/hr., with an approximate 1:4
ratio of unbillable to billable hours, for reading and preparation.

The KAPLAN test preparation service exists, essentially, to give people
who have money an even GREATER advantage in the educational hierarchy.
Their brochures state flat-out to students and their parents that "higher
scores = higher pay."

Because standardized college and grad school entrance exams are graded on
the "percentile" system, a money-based preparational advantage multiplies
the disadvantage of those without money EXPONENTIALLY.

 
KAPLAN is the 180-degree opposite of the School for Designing a Society.
The opposite of a community organization.  The opposite, in my opinion, of
an education.

I want to keep this job because I need money for the tools of my artistic
trade. And because I want to be less dependent financially on my family.  
And because I want to live more comfortably.

I want to quit this job because it is against a good number of my
principles.

Anyone have some advice for me?


muchlove
paulkotheimer
 
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217 344 4302 voicemail

c/o the School for Designing a Society
409 North Race Street
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217 384 0299 phone (no fax)