In the United States corporate reformers, also known as educational deformers, have created an American Contradiction:
Use PISA scores to show that public education in the United States is failing but then implement market-based reforms that are almost entirely contradictory to the reforms and policies found in high achieving countries.For more on this American Contradiction, I suggest you take a look at Marc Tucker's Standing on the Shoulders of Giants.
NOTE: After reading John Spencer's comment on this post, I changed this post from "the American Paradox" to "the American Contradiction". I agree with John, it better describes what is going on.
I don't think that's a paradox. It's a contradiction. Paradoxes are beautiful mysteries - like the tension between direct help and letting a student fail or the sense of group unity with the individual autonomy.
ReplyDeleteInteresting article that you linked here. I cannot help but think, however, that this is all intentional. There is a deliberate push to make Americans dumb. I know it sounds totally wack, but as bad as Bush's "No Child Left Behind" is is tame in comparison to Obama's "Race to the Top." We are clearly creating a generation that has no creativity, and perhaps scarier, one that blindly accepts authority.
ReplyDeleteAmerica is looking for a savior, but we will not find it in a politician, only in our Lord Jesus. We're in for a long road America, get ready.
I think when educators, and communities are aloud to design a schools that fit their needs and the needs of our children we will see our children being truly successful. A single test shouldn't be the last word on if what the students know.
ReplyDelete