You may have noticed that we have not been as active in this blog lately. I would like to apologize for that, but we have had a hard time promoting our reform group. The problem is innovative reformers such as ourselves are constantly finding ourselves cut out of the best paying and highest profile speaking gigs in favor of the usual suspects---Michelle Rhee, Joel Klein, Geoffrey Canada, Checker Finn, Stand for Children, GOOD, SMERSH, Students First, and DFER are well known and hence always have another speaking engagement or paycheck waiting.
The problem is groups like ours who are newer are more innovative. We aren't tied to the same failed policies of reform that haven't worked over the past 10 or 15 years. Don't get me wrong--we love these pioneering education reformers. Many of them stood behind Scott Walker and the Koch Brothers when it would have been politically expedient to turn their back on them.
The problem is for education reform to work, every media person needs to have a dynamic and persuasive education reformer to discuss schools with. Instead, the older reform groups are the first ones to be called and only later do newer groups like ours get contacted. With the crisis in American schools we can no longer simply defer to Michelle Rhee's experience--we must reach out to younger reformers who have more enthusiasm and better ideas.
We must not continue to reward education reformers based on their experience, but instead on their ideas---are they groundbreaking or to they simply retread old history. Everybody knows that teachers are best during their first two years before they get burned out and stop doing work---the same is true of education reformers and it's time for those who lack the innovation and passion to stand aside and let real reform come through.
the problem is I don't think the deformers (proper term imho) get the idea of being hoist by their own petards.
ReplyDeleteA teacher would have to be idiotic to get a four year degree only to be considered productive for two years at a very minimal salary. You cannot be serious. And to downplay experience? That is ridiculous. In corporations, they don't choose the people with only two years experience for mgmt/leadership positions. Neither should national educational organizations. This is not the same as saying that they shouldn't pay close attention to emerging out-performers.
ReplyDeleteNobody should be allowed to continue working after 2-3 years. The degree may still not be paid off, but what matters is HIGH productivity and exceptionalism. May adults and society fall, only the best 2-3 years for all children.
ReplyDeleteI don't know where you get your information, but as a public school teacher, I know for a fact that teachers are not best during their first 2 years. It takes approximately 3-5 years for a teacher to finally feel comfortable in his/her job.
ReplyDeleteIn any profession, more experience—not less—is better. Would you want to be operated on by a fresh from med school brain surgeon, or one with 10-20 years of experience? Same with education. Ask any seasoned educator, if they are a better teacher now than they were in their first 3-5 years. I bet you'll get the same answer every time: Yes.
Is this supposed to be a joke? If it is, it's not funny. The last stand for children should be made with strong communities, with good schools who have well-respected teachers and principals, equity in funding and opportunities beyond basic, rote knowledge.Reformer? More like Decepticon.
ReplyDelete