Questioning the power we give parents
Opt out or test refusal movements offer tremendous power to parents because teachers may not, in the vast majority of cases, be able to assume the risks of resisting standardized testing. The argument goes that you can’t “fire” parents and they ultimately know what is best for their children (except when they don’t).
I’ve wondered over time if there are any caveats to teachers standing behind parents, relying on the parents to fuel the resistance. But what happens when the resistance crosses their children? The rejoinder might be, “Well, we have the best interests of children in mind, so technically it never will.”
I wouldn’t be so sure.
I was reminded once again of my previous thoughts about parent-power when reading about a beloved PE teacher’s abrupt dismissal over what seems like a very spurious accusation:
Sloan, 60, a popular coach hailed as a role model for overcoming his handicap, was yanked from PS 102 in Harlem after a parent setting up for a party last year complained she smelled booze on his breath. He claims it was the alcohol-based mouthwash.
Far be it from me to rely on the New York Post for anything friendly about teachers. Yet, how could an Questioning the power we give parents | @ THE CHALKFACE: