By Allan Alach
Today I read an article by Bill Gates (yes I survived) where
he appeared to be questioning the USA teacher evaluation systems that are based
on test scores. Good stuff, Bill, but why did you promote this kind of
evaluation on the first place? Gates
quotes this mind boggling example.
‘In one Midwestern state, for example, a 166-page Physical Education Evaluation Instrument holds
teachers accountable for ensuring that students meet state-defined targets for physical education,
such as consistently demonstrating "correct skipping technique with a
smooth and effortless rhythm" and "strike consistently a ball with a
paddle to a target area with accuracy and good technique." ‘
Here’s a response by US blogger Anthony Cody, which
concludes with ‘When Bill Gates states he
is all for accountability, perhaps he might start with himself. Until then, I
really do not value his views on what good accountability systems for others
ought to consist of.’
I welcome suggested articles, so if you come across a gem, email it
to me at allan.alach@ihug.co.nz.
This week’s homework!
The War Over Math and Reading
‘There
is a simmering war (of words) about boys, girls, math, reading and why fewer
women become scientists or technology experts.’
Read to learn more - leads to conclusions
about lower achieving students.
Chicago is ground zero for disastrous 'free market'
reforms of education
‘Chicago
has turned public schools into privately run charters. The results aren't
stellar and other cities should beware.’
And:
‘The school reformers peddling neoliberal snake oil,
promising the healing benefits of privatizing the country's public school
system, are undoubtedly watching Chicago very closely, looking for strategies
to export to other cities.’
Contemporary Education Reform and “A Cult
of Ignorance”
As well as being a
great writer of science fiction, Isaac Asimov was also a very perceptive
commentator on wider issues. This blog discusses an article from 1980 where
Asimov declared, “There is a cult of
ignorance in the United States, and there always has been. The strain of
anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political
and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that “my
ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.”
Since then this ‘cult
of ignorance’ has spread outside the USA, to the detriment of us all.
Excellent article by Wayne Morris published
on Bruce Hammonds’ Leading and Learning
blog:
“The roots of a creative society are in basic education.
The sheer volume of facts to be digested by the students of today leaves little
time for a deeper interrogation of their moral worth. The result has been a
generation of technicians rather than visionaries, each one taking a career
rather than an idea seriously. The answer must be reform in our educational
methods so that students are encouraged to ask about “know-why” as well as
“know-how”.
The
new kindergarten: Kids write ‘informative’ reports
‘Remember
back in the olden days when kindergarteners used to be allowed to learn from
playing? Now, in the age of the Common Core State Standards, 4 and 5 year olds
are being required to do things such as write “Informative/Explanatory Reports”
and identify topic sentences.’
Brace yourselves - when will this nonsense
appear ‘down under?’ Note - ‘kindergarteners’ includes 5 year olds.
Penn-Finn
Learnings 2013: Does Student Voice Translate in Finnish? (via Bruce)
Another perspective on Finland - this time
exploring the input from the students.
Arts
Education: A Right and Necessity (via Bruce)
One increasingly familiar outcome from GERM
is the neglect of subjects outside literacy and numeracy. So much for the
concept of a ‘full education,’ replaced instead by skills training for a
limited future as a ‘wage slave.’ Here’s an argument for the inclusion of arts
in the curriculum.
Brief mindfulness training may boost test scores,
working memory
Now for something
completely different….
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