By Allan Alach
One of today’s items discusses the myth of lagging US schools, and,
as I noted in my introduction, this equally applies to schooling in other
countries. This is no coincidence, and is consistent with the practice of disaster
capitalism (Naomi Klein). This either takes advantage of various disasters in
order to impose neo-liberal policies (blanket introduction of charter schools
in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina is an example of this) or, if no
disaster happens to conveniently arrive (Christchurch earthquake) the
neo-liberals create their own ‘disaster’ through manipulation of the media.
Claiming that schools are failing, in order to justify ‘reform’ is an example
of this. I’m sure you can think of many other examples.
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!
More
Evidence that Test-Based Accountability Narrows the Curriculum
Time to say ‘We told you so?”
‘A new
academic study has found that test-based accountability measures in the United
States have narrowed the curriculum in schools. A statistical analysis
published in the latest issue
of Education Evaluation and Policy Analysis concludes that there is
strong evidence that class time devoted to mathematics and English has
increased while the share going to science and social studies has decreased in
response to school accountability measures.’
Finland: The Lighthouse of
Progressive Education and Divergent Learning
Yet
another US educator sees the light. The problem is that is our politicians,
wherever, who are blind. Ah well, we can all work hard for a cure.
“If John Dewey was alive today, he would see his words
on child-centered and problem-based learning put into practice in Finland.”
“We’re
Number Umpteenth!”: The myth of lagging U.S. schools
The myth of lagging New
Zealand/Australia/Canadian/…. schools as well, seeing as this the prime
justification used by GERMers to bring in school ‘deform.’ Alfie Kohn
dismantles this myth from the USA perspective; however his arguments are
equally valid all over.
The Industrial Classroom
‘In
resisting standardized testing, today’s teachers are part of a rich tradition
of struggle against dehumanization in the workplace.’
There’s nothing new under the sun, as the
saying goes. Nothing new in this article
either; however its a good overview of the antecedents to the present
educational nonsense.
Why
I’m anti-rubric (via Michael Fawcett)
A basic overview of the problems with
rubrics, which should encourage everyone to investigate further!
Leading
the way in education - instead of following the failing neo liberal agenda
Bruce Hammonds’ interpretation of Yong
Zhao’s book “Catching Up By Leading”
 |
| Yong Zhao |
‘Why right wing politicians in New Zealand would want to
follow the failing neo-liberal agenda of the USA is more
to do with politics than education.’
"School
Time" in New Zealand (via Bruce Hammonds)
What can be learned from New Zealand's school schedule?
Educator
and blogger Adam Provost in this post writes about a recent trip to New
Zealand, in which he examined the country's school model. Provost includes a
detailed account of the school day, which includes daily "teatime" to
relax and collaborate and 10 hours of professional development over a six-day
period, which is built into the schedule’.
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