"How do we measure Progress?"

We moved into our current home 15 months ago. As we would look across the fence in our backyard, we could see cows grazing in the pasture. What an enjoyable sight to behold every morning and every evening. As I look across my fence today, I see bulldozers, cranes, and tractors. They are converting the peaceful pasture into a lively subdivision of new homes. As I look across my fence, I wonder "Is this progress?"

The county where I reside is one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. I am told that by the year 2030, my county will double in population. This requires more roads, more schools, more homes, and more development. I wonder if this is "really progress?"

Progress is sometimes hard to measure. The progress of children in our schools is often measured by testing. We put great value in such tests as the CRCT, PSAT, and the SAT. Do these and other tests really measure progress?

How do we measure progress? While we sit in our coffee shops full of good conversation around the table, we might ask ourselves, "What is really progress?"