Let’s Not Expect Everyone to Run a 4 Minute Mile
I don’t know about you but when I occasionally run in 5K a 9 minute mile avera
ge pace is pushing it for me. Now I’m sure there are some very fit, athletic 50 year olds who can do much better, but clearly if we expected (or mandated) that everyone at my age should run a 4 minute mile the results would be much like what we see in the recently released NYS assessment failure rates. The standard setting equivalent of expecting all to perform at high levels that are dubious in terms of attending to the stated goal of college and career readiness is akin to saying that the health of individuals is tied primarily to how fast they run.
Our first obligation is to do no harm. I am convinced that those who claim to be pushing a reform agenda in the name of helping children are doing quite the opposite. There is great harm being seen and heard in the aftermath of the release of these results to all who live and work with children as well as the students themselves. Those of us who support, and celebrate the individual uniqueness of our students have strong aspirations for all of them.
No, we should not expect everyone to “perform” at the same level using a select set of measuring sticks. In reality, we all have unique strengths that must be honored and celebrated. In fact, let us insure that we do not marginalize the poets, musicians, and artists of the future in the name of getting the data to show higher percentages of 3s and 4s. The engineers, mathematicians, and scientists would also do well to experience a strong well-rounded foundation in their primary and secondary educational experiences. All current and future citizens benefit from time to play and
Our first obligation is to do no harm. I am convinced that those who claim to be pushing a reform agenda in the name of helping children are doing quite the opposite. There is great harm being seen and heard in the aftermath of the release of these results to all who live and work with children as well as the students themselves. Those of us who support, and celebrate the individual uniqueness of our students have strong aspirations for all of them.
No, we should not expect everyone to “perform” at the same level using a select set of measuring sticks. In reality, we all have unique strengths that must be honored and celebrated. In fact, let us insure that we do not marginalize the poets, musicians, and artists of the future in the name of getting the data to show higher percentages of 3s and 4s. The engineers, mathematicians, and scientists would also do well to experience a strong well-rounded foundation in their primary and secondary educational experiences. All current and future citizens benefit from time to play and
