Teaching and Learning in the Age of the Technocrats
By Sheila Resseger, M.A.
I wrote the following words almost exactly four years ago. Since then, many parents did choose to inform themselves, and refused to allow their children to participate in the PARCC/SBAC assessments; the problem with the underlying standards, however, was not addressed. And the situation we have today is even more concerning. The Common Core standards are even more entrenched, and much of students’ learning has been shifted to depersonalized digital platforms.
Even if children are not taking the end of the year standardized test, they are still subjected to continual computerized testing, with content based on those flawed Common Core standards. I am not arguing against the use of technology in schools; nor am I arguing against assessment. Teachers are trained professionals who should be diagnostically assessing their students as they plan their lessons.
What I am arguing for is a realistic re-assessment by experienced classroom teachers, and experienced teacher educators, of the negative impact that these standards and accompanying tests have had on our students for the past decade, particularly on our most vulnerable students.
We need to do better, and in order to do better we need to address the full humanity of our students and provide them with engaging, culturally responsive, empowering curricula, not scripted/digital curricula that are designed to prepare them for invalid CONTINUE READING: Teaching and Learning in the Age of the Technocrats