A reader reacts to an earlier post and comments on the Common Core State Standards:
I agree that CC standards alone aren’t the game changer. These types of efforts to rename, reframe, polish, market and sell new initiatives from the top down have a temporary success when some grant-style funding and enthusiasm accompanies it. In the end, though, you are attempting to sculpt whatever clay comes to you with the tools you are allowed. Imagine a baker thrown into a kitchen and told their career will live or die based on some baking standards and evaluations for pies, cakes, cookies, and various pastries. What if that kitchen has little or no flour? A true master might know that there are options (gluten-free), but the results are not typical-they just get the job done. Imagine missing even more of the vital ingredients like sugar, eggs, butter…Again, the job can get done, but if standards, expectations and evaluations (along with state test results) don’t consider how the kitchen is stocked to begin with, then it isn’t an honest system-even if the standards alone are useful. As a teacher, I can make up for the difference a missing “pinch of salt” might make. I can figure out a way to substitute some “ingredients” to help students arrive at a decent final product, that demonstrates their best. The missing ingredient in most CCLS/reform/evaluation discussion is the fact that not all students come to school “ready”. Even some that do have disruptions in their life that impact how ready they are, temporarily, short term, or maybe long term. There is not much you can do about unforeseen accident or tragedy. But when we have policy that panders to wealthy private interests, feeding a society that promotes self-interest and consumerism, erodes the employment opportunities of the middle class…well, the conversation needs to change. Instead of “Teachers aren’t doing their job”, it needs to be “We need to ask teachers how we can help them and their students cope with an economy we aren’t ready to reform.” |
The last line is priceless in this post. That’s it. The whole ball of wax.
So true! If only the educational decision makers understood the real nature of teaching. Until they do, they make the job of teaching and learning that much harder.
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2012/01/edu_sotu.html
What do you think about the article at this url? Title…..’President Obama’s New Education Reform Plan’…..dated 1/29/12. I have no problem with what I read there. Do you? If so, why please.
All of President Obama’s proposals are based on testing as the measure of an effective teacher. This is wrong. This is not a new education reform plan. It is NCLB rebottled, with teachers as the scapegoat.
“Instead of “Teachers aren’t doing their job”, it needs to be “We need to ask teachers how we can help them and their students cope with an economy we aren’t ready to reform.”
I lost out on a city-wide coordinator’s position because when asked what would be the first thing I would do to put a training program together for the teachers, I said that I would get input from the teachers. This was some time back but it seems to be a relevant challenge even today. It is unimaginable that teachers are not considered part of the solution to improving schools. The more I hear the word “reform” the more I am turned off. Merriam Webster defines reform the verb ” to put or change into an improved form or condition.” As I see it this is not what is happening with our schools today.
Yes, Donna…as a teacher should understand the needs of his/her own students, reform efforts must include the needs of teachers. Without the buy in from teachers, real reform is not possible. Teachers hold more cards than they realize. Teachers can no longer count on elected/appointed officials for real help and support regardless of political party. Because of blogs like this, we can learn the facts about the source and motives of educational reform. It’s like Dorothy watching the curtain pulled back. It’s shocking and infuriating but also liberating. I believe there will be a quiet revolution within every dedicated teacher. When we stand before our students we will meet their needs regardless of the madness that bombards us. The “reformers ” are simply out-numbered. 🙂
Yes! They have money and political power, but there are not that many “reformers.” I imagine a convention in which every single reformer in the nation comes to one place–20,000 of them? 50,000? Millions of parents and teachers who hate what they are doing.
I would love a convention such as this, Diane! Parents, teachers, and STUDENTS! No contest!
I would love a convention such as this, Diane! Parents, teachers, and STUDENTS! No contest! (in a stupid voice nananana!)