The Conundrum of Blaming Teachers and Doctors: Second Time Around
I published this post over two years ago about blaming teachers and doctors for institutional low performance. Both teachers and doctors are blamed for the problem, on the one hand, yet, on the other hand–give thanks that we only have two hands–they are expected to solve the very problems for which they are blamed. The conundrum is still alive and breathing in 2011.
Has anyone noticed that much of the blame showered on teachers and unions for blocking school reform by business-admiring pundits and policymakers is usually followed by perky pay-for-performance plans and other solutions wholly dependent upon teachers embracing the changes? Framing teachers as both the problem and the solution is a tough conundrum to unravel. Teachers, however, are not the only ones to grapple with the paradox of being blamed for a problem and then expected to turn around and solve the very same problem.
Consider medical care. Patients, insurance companies, and federal officials criticize physicians and hospitals for