As a parent it is certainly a daily challenge to recognize true genuine education and valuable learning. It becomes an even bigger challenge when you as a parent become awakened to the policies, unfunded mandates, and BILLION dollar profit empires wreaking havoc on public schools everywhere. I am a believer in public education because I am a product of one. I was molded and shaped by MANY amazing teachers, principals, coaches and even peers. It’s different nowadays; call me old-fashioned but a traditional clear cut education…a free and appropriate public education EVERY child deserves is hard to come by especially without a fight, without being THAT parent, the “non-conformist.”
Here’s my point. I would LOVE to ask every teacher out there ONE question!
From day 1 when that child walks through your door to the very last day of school, what 3-5 things do you want every student to know/learn and take away from your class? Basically, what is your purpose for teaching? What are the most important things each child should walk away with, what are the priorities?
I would guarantee beyond a shadow of a doubt TEST SCORE is not found ANYWHERE in the top 3-5. So why is practically every teacher all across our nation spending the majority of the entire academic year (180 days) teaching test prep? How much valuable time is being wasted on simply passing a test, aka choosing the correct answer? The BILLION dollar empires (lobby groups and corporate reformers FOR PROFIT) are stealing every teacher’s most valuable gift and they don’t even realize it!!
Basically schools and classrooms everywhere are painting the drywall, and hanging pictures on the wall but the foundation has not been poured yet! WHY? Why are children not mastering the basics and why has testing trumped the real purpose for teaching and learning in the first place? Do you know how much profit is made in the testing industry alone? Standardized (high-stakes) testing is a $350-$450 BILLION dollar industry!!!
Schools are no longer centered on the students, teachers are not being trained to teach but to facilitate, and the education reform system has been established to generate profit.
The article below explains in great detail WHY THE BEST TEACHERS DON’T GIVE TESTS!!!
And here is a great article about the timeline of corporate education reform, but I certainly wouldn’t recommend reading it because being awake means your child’s education becomes a bigger challenge and who really wants to be THAT parent?!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/02/private-firms-eyeing-prof_n_1732856.html
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