9-22-13 With A Brooklyn Accent

With A Brooklyn Accent:

 The Contradiction at the Heart of Corporate School Reform- That NBC's "Education Nation" Ignore

Corporate Education Reformers want teachers to be scripted, monitored, and continuously evaluated to assure their performance is up to standard. They also want to radically improve the quality of the nation's teaching force. Unfortunately, the first goal-- which they are well on their way to achieving- totally undermines the second! Talented people will NOT work under minute and humiliating scrutiny. Under the new regime, great teachers are leaving the profession much faster than they are entering it! This is a contradiction that will never be discussed on NBC's Education Nation, which systematically excludes any teachers voices, much less those who will tell the harsh truth about the catastrophe that has befallen public education in the US.

Common Core- Stress, Intimidation and the Suberversion of the Democratic Process

Because Common Core aligned tests are developmentally inappropriate for many students, and dramatically ratchet up the stress levels of student, teachers and families, they can only be imposed with top down tactics that feature threats and intimidation. The entire process must be exposed- not just the tests themselves- because it represents an abuse of power by elected officials, and a grave threat to traditions of local governance and parental rights. Right now, many parents and teachers are frightened and shell shocked which makes it especially important for those of us who know what a grave threat to Democracy this is to speak out everywhere and anywhere. Americans are a rebellious, contentious, and independent people and this attempt to whip their children into line will ultimately fail.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013

The "School Choice" Reformers Never Promote

In the third chapter of Diane Ravitch's new book "Reign of Error" she points out that what Reformers call "Choice" is really privatization. The measures they promote- vouchers and charters schools, all work toward undermining public schools systems. They NEVER promote measures that enhance parent choice WITHIN public school systems. There are two such options which I think BATS should embrace:

1. Radically expanding the number of public "portfolio schools" which are exempt from state and national tests and which rate students on the basis of assessments of their classwork developed by teachers. There are several such schools in New York City which are highly successful, but their number has been capped by the city and state departments of education. Why not give teachers and administrators a chance to create many more such schools all over the country, as an alternative to the test centered schools following a one size fits all curriculum. That would give parents a real choice while allowing teachers to maintain the union protections they have in public schools that are lacking in most charter schools

2. Create, or recreate the vocational and technical high schools that were once a fixture in every American city, and give them full or partial exemptions from state tests. Let these schools to be targeted to growth areas in the American economy as well as sectors where high wage jobs have existed for a long time- construction, automobile and elevator repair, computers and the like. These schools would give parents a most welcome alternative to schools which feature little more than test prep and no direct job preparation. And would create positions for a new generation of teachers who would love their jobs.

Think about these options. If you were a parent, wouldn't you want to have choices like this for a child

Then how come no major Reformer is pushing for them? Makes you wonder, doesn't it, whether as Diane Ravitch reminds us, what they call choice really means Privatization and Profit.

A Tale of Teacher ( and Student) Abuse from Upstate New York

Hello, just read your post about teacher abuse. I'm always putting students first, but wanted to share something. I work in a semi-urban elementary school in ........ Last year was one of the worst years I ever had. Many students were dealing with serious family issues or mental problems. It was bad. My heart felt like it was coming out of my chest. My dr. Put me on some anxiety meds. It helped. The year got better for various reasons and i weaned myself off the meds. The week after the test many students were behaving very poorly. again family or severe ADD and mental problems. It was at this time in the year I drove home each day sobbing. The stress of the tests, common core, teaching with boring materials, Pearson's Reading Street and the dreadful GO Math really gets to you. Ii also discovered that three other teachers in my building were on meds because of the stress. How many others out there are seeking help to deal with the incredible stress placed on teachers right now. I bet it is more than we could ever imagine. The rigorous curriculum is turning kids off to learning. It is dry boring! Just wanted to share a personal story. Feel free to share anything I said to discuss the high level of anxiety in teachers. Just don't use my name:) Have a great day! One day at a time!!!!!