Sunday links.
Cartoon: H/T Facebook SOS Million Teacher March
The Illinois House may actually put in a couple hours this afternoon. Their session ends Tuesday. They may vote today on the teacher pension killing bill. So make another call: 1 888 412 6570.
Federal anti-terrorism agents spy on a Texas anti-corporate activist. They catch him with a quilt.
Teach for America. A jobs program for wealthy college grads funded by taxpayers and rich folks.
They call them “frozen assets.” By that they mean teacher salaries and health benefits. And guess what they want to get their fat little hands on? For what? More bubble tests.
Can you think of any other profession – from hair styling to fire fighting to neurosurgery – where we wouldn’t value experience and training? If reformers had a more comprehensive understanding of teaching, they would at least consider the possibility that something is amiss with the studies. The problem is that the studies for the most part deal in simple aggregates and define experience or training in crude ways. Experience is defined as years on the job, and it’s no surprise that years alone don’t mean much. But if you define experience in one of the ways Webster suggests—“activity that includes training, observation of practice, and personal participation and knowledge gained from this”— then you would most likely find a connection between experience and competence. What people do with their time on the job is crucial, becomes the foundation of expertise. As for the question about post-baccalaureate work, the same principle applies: What kind of training? Where? What was the curriculum? The quality of supervision? I’ll be the first to admit that a number of education programs leave a lot to be desired, but to discount experience and training in blanket fashion is not only wrong-headed but also undercuts attempts to create better working conditions for teachers, more robust professional development, and opportunities for career advancement – all things the reformers say they want. Mike Rose
I totally agree about the profession and how upgrading oneself is not taken seriously by society. However it’s important to note that the Gates/Stand for Children ilk is pushing this, and not ordindary citizens and parents. We must continue to focus on excellence for ourselves and our students, and point out who is behind what, and for what reason.