This article is probably the most interesting piece I've ever read on education. I find myself challenged everytime I read it. I question how much overlap I have with the historical model, the breadth and meaning of the content I teach, the level of curiosity and thinking that really goes on in the room. It's from Harper's Magazine and came out when I first started teaching. Teacher Man, by Frank McCourt, comes to mind as a parallel.
Against School
Ugh! I think I need to read his book, but this territory is overdone! And, I think he misses a big issue. Yes, my grandmother and mother always said, "only the boring are bored." In fact, haven't recent generations been cut off from their grandparents and parental influences? Haven't family dynamics changed?Isn't the real solution connected to parental values? Or economic changes in real wages? Aren't more modern day families forced to work more hours?
ReplyDeleteAs someone with tons of lifelong public school teacher relatives, I have to defend them. They struggle with being thought juvenile, lazy, boring, money hungry, unambitious, and for some reason seem to be addicted to every sappy teacher story that chain emails can provide.
Why is much of his textual support based on turn of the century thought? I think he extrapolates his timeline in an odd way. Schools, both in terms of philosophy and physical construction, shifted in the 50s and 60s.
My grandparents thought public school a great opportunity and a great gift. Even the radical idea of vocational education was viewed as a positive. Saroyan's "The Human Comedy" was a reflection of school philosophy. My immigrant grandparents thought it made America far more amazing a place.
Why are teachers always expected to
Oops, dorm interruption, time to teach bathroom etiquette to Mason goofballs...
ReplyDeleteIf anyone wants to break out of this stream of thought, I highly recommend a visit to one of Leucretia Shaw's classes -- exciting, funny, demanding, rewarding, fast, do-able.... it was an Open House treat for me.
ReplyDeleteAn equally thought-provoking counter-argument: http://www.motherjones.com/media/2012/08/mission-high-false-low-performing-school
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