“What Would You Do?”
It’s not unusual for me to get push back from friends and others that goes something like this. “You give lots of criticism, and no answers. What would you do?”
I hate it when that happens. For a number of reasons.
One reason is that what these questioners are really asking is, “What is the solution that you would impose on others if given the opportunity?” The question is asked in ignorance of the fact that education is under assault because some, mainly business leaders, outside of education are imposing their solutions on others. This question obscures issues of power. It doesn’t recognize that any solution has to be determined with those directly affected by the solution. In this case, those directly affected are educators, parents and children. The question also accepts the assumption, ignorantly again, that “failing schools” and teachers are a problem, thus the need for a solution. To quote Peter Block, “When we believe that the ‘other’ is the problem and that transformation is required of them and not of us, we become the beneficiaries of their suffering in the world. Some of us make a living off of gather deficiencies…All in the name of virtue.” Replace “the ‘other'” with “teacher in the above quote and Block’s description offers much clarity to what is taking place under the auspices of education reform.
The main reason I hate this question is that it shows that those who ask it just aren’t paying attention. And, because of its highly politicized nature, those of us in public education greatly depend on the knowledgeable attention of those outside of it. There are lots of great programs, visions and ideas around. Just “What Would You Do?” | educarenow: