Always Be Testing – The Sales Pitch for Corporate Education Reform | gadflyonthewallblog

Always Be Testing – The Sales Pitch for Corporate Education Reform | gadflyonthewallblog:

Always Be Testing – The Sales Pitch for Corporate Education Reform

(After the “Brass Balls” speech in “Glengarry Glen Ross,” by David Mamet.)

(Rated PG-13 for language)

(Interior: a public school classroom during an after school staff meeting. Teachers are seated at student desks including Singer, Moss and Aaronow. Williamson, a middle school principal, stands in front of the room flanked by Blake, a motivational speaker brought in by the state. Singer is furiously grading papers. The other teachers are pleasantly chatting about trifles before Blake calls the gathering to attention.)

[Blake]

Let me have your attention for a moment! So you’re talking about what? You’re talking about that kid you failed, some son of a bitch who doesn’t want to pass, some snot-nosed brat you’re trying to remediate and so forth. Let’s talk about something important. Are they all here?

[Williamson]

All but one.

[Blake]

Well, I’m going anyway. Let’s talk about something important! (to Singer) Put that colored marker down!

[Singer]

But I’m grading papers…

(Blake)

I said Put that marker down! Markers are for testers only.

(Singer scoffs)

[Blake]

Do you think I’m fucking with you? I am not fucking with you. I’m here from downtown. I’m here from the Governor and the Legislature. And I’m here on Always Be Testing – The Sales Pitch for Corporate Education Reform | gadflyonthewallblog: