Education Reform
In today’s online culture, it’s possible for students to access thousands of different topics in a matter of minutes. Yet our current education system is a throwback to the methods of schooling developed during the Industrial Revolution. And we don’t just mean technology-wise. In many cases, the techniques our teachers use to interact with and impart knowledge to our students are embarrassingly outdated.
It’s no mystery that our education system is in dire need of a face lift. The good news is that many, many people agree. Even better, a handful of organizations are rallying to incite such change. Here are two of our favorites:
The Coalition of Essential Schools, headquartered at Brown University, champions a variety of progressive philosophies and scholastic reforms.
The Association of Educators in Private Practice stays active in school system reforms, particularly charter issues.
Add a Comment No CommentsNo Testing, Please: We’re Teaching (and Learning)!
Teachers in Ontario, Canada, recently called for a ban on standardized testing (“Standardized Testing, Perception, & Reality”). It appears there is increased interest in abandoning the test mania that has dominated education for the past fifteen years. A high school in New Hampshire has decided to eliminate midterm and final exams (“Finals and Midterms are Out of School in Plaistow”). Donald Woodworth, principal of Timberlane Regional High School, estimates that teachers will pick up eight additional instructional days by eliminating midterms and finals. If anything, his estimate is low. Read the rest
Add a Comment No CommentsSeparate But Equal: Separating Students By Gender
Check out this interesting article by Karen Houppert in The Washington Post, “Separate but equal: More schools are dividing classes by gender.” Read the rest
Add a Comment No CommentsStandardized Testing, Perception and Reality
With increased backlash against excessive testing both in the US and in other countries, elementary teachers in Ontario have taken a stand, asking that standardized testing in grades 3 and 6 be suspended for the next two years (“Elementary teachers call for a time-out on standardized testing”). Read the rest
Add a Comment No CommentsRace to the Top: An Invitation to the Bad Old Days
In the not-too-distant past, teachers worked in relative isolation, staying behind closed doors in their rooms, hoarding their best ideas, and reluctant to share with their colleagues. I’m not sure if it was fear that their innovative ideas would be ridiculed or stolen, but it was not unusual for teachers to work side by side and never divulge their best practices. Thankfully, enlightened staff development initiatives convinced teachers to share their expertise. Teachers became more collaborative and enhanced their pedagogical skills. Read the rest
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