Unions are NOT the problem. Teachers are not the major problem in the advancement of educational equity. Every career has a small percentage of poor workers. Doctors who carve initials in their patients or perform the wrong operation, lawyers who are incompetent and cases are reheard, judges who are continually overturned on appeal. And let's not even start on the politicians--just open a newspaper for the latest incompetence and misuse of power that seems a requirement. There is no good policy in any profession that identifies, helps remedy and eventually removes these individuals. To continue to demonize teachers as the sole individuals responsible for student achievement (and lack thereof), is ridiculous. Are rising health care costs primarily due to nurses and doctors? Are drug prices sky high because of the pharmacists and research scientists?
True accountablity and leadership begins at the TOP. True data-driven policies do not summarily reject studies that contradict the pre-existing policy statements of politicians. The state of education in our country reflects the state of our society. You will not fix it in isolation without realizing what all the business men turned politicos and educators know. All valid studies claim 5-7 years of on the job experience are required for ANY professional to reach levels of excellence. Yet the Teach for America and other programs encourage rapid turnover and burn out well before these trainees can attain excellence. The small schools that they champion do chose a selected student population, despite every denial to the contrary. Any analysis of the statistics shows this quite clearly (compare percentages of ELL or SPED students, compare levels of parental involvement, compare attendance). And I know that only our best honor roll students are being targeted by these schools to encourage them to transfer. Our struggling students that apply for transfers are routinely rejected every year. Spending matters, and the numbers are continually obfuscated by the city.
nycteacherof NY1:11AM June 14, 2008
Yes the unions are in the way. But there is enough blame to go around. If parents changed their attitudes about the learning experience then we wouldn't be reading this piece. I'm glad that the group "Calls on parents and students to demand more from their schools, but also to demand more from themselves" (I took the quote is from their website at www.educationequalityproject.org )
Report cards may come out only twice a year, but education news happens every day. Here is where U.S. News writers grade the latest developments, from school districts banning the game of tag to congressional debates that affect college affordability. Check regularly for the most recent updates.
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nycteacher of NY 1:11AM June 14, 2008
bettyboopinnyc65 of NJ 9:16PM June 12, 2008