''Teacher evaluation': Real agenda appears to be school privatization
IN AN urban Head Start classroom, a 3-year-old has just been dropped off by her father and sits on the lap of a volunteer from the "Granny Brigade." As he leaves, she begins to wail, "Daddy! Dadeeeeee!" Her "granny" holds her gently until she calms down and is ready to join other young children in their morning activities. They go through this ritual for several days until the little girl gradually adjusts to the new experience known as preschool.
All children depend on the adults in their lives to establish the basic trust that they will be safe. When parents lead especially disordered lives, there are at best few positive supports for their children, and at worst, abuse and neglect. Subjected to relentless toxic stress, the developing brains of perfectly normal babies literally fail to grow, creating lifelong emotional and cognitive disabilities. Without early intervention, the toll is often irreversible and tragic.
So what happens to these stressed-out children when they come to school; who is responsible for their academic progress?
The message of former D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee is that the adults immediately in charge of the classroom are most accountable. No one else has the same level of responsibility for student achievement; not parents, administrators nor the students themselves. And certainly not the politicians who vote to limit
All children depend on the adults in their lives to establish the basic trust that they will be safe. When parents lead especially disordered lives, there are at best few positive supports for their children, and at worst, abuse and neglect. Subjected to relentless toxic stress, the developing brains of perfectly normal babies literally fail to grow, creating lifelong emotional and cognitive disabilities. Without early intervention, the toll is often irreversible and tragic.
So what happens to these stressed-out children when they come to school; who is responsible for their academic progress?
The message of former D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee is that the adults immediately in charge of the classroom are most accountable. No one else has the same level of responsibility for student achievement; not parents, administrators nor the students themselves. And certainly not the politicians who vote to limit
