Improvement "takes recognition of and the moral outrage at ineffective practices."
- Roland Barth
It seems that the responsibility for our failing schools (and the buffer) goes from top to bottom. Mediocrity currently is protected at all levels. I would like to see teachers start a movement to change the system because I believe this is where it must start for teachers to really buy in to this idea of professional learning communities.
It has been my experience that when innovations come from the top down, teachers think "here we go again with the lastest education fad." Consequently, they only do enough to make it look like they are trying, but usually the fad gradually goes away, and we are back in our same comfortable rut. However, any real change is going to require adminsitration at the school and district level to really listen to teachers and respond to their needs rather than telling them what is needed. Where the rubber meets the road (teachers in the classroom) should have great input into all decisions regarding instruction of students.
I will be intereested in seeing whether Schmoker addresses this issue.
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2 comments:
The National Writing Project was founded on the principle of teachers teaching teachers--the belief that teachers are experts in their fields, and practicing teachers should be the ones who share that expertise. Since I have become a teacher-consultant through the Midlands Writing Project/South Carolina Writing Project/National Writing Project, I have been called upon ONE time to share my meager expertise.
Michael raised a good point, I think it was Michael anyway, that often we are introduced to a new program, given a pep talk about doing things this way or that way at the beginning of the year, and after September, there is no follow-up, no means of checking to see if the inservice is making an impact on teacher performance or student achievement.
Schmoker makes the point over and over that some change must come from the top: the administrations at the state, district, and school levels must value improvement over change, and teachers must be involved in that improvement process.
I agree with Caro Lynn that mediocracy is at all levels and that teachers do often think here we go again and do need to be a part of the decision making process. I believe it takes team effort. However, as teachers we are often to tired at the end of the day to participate in meaningful study of our data, school goal setting, staff development, and meaningful discussion. We are also often close-minded to observation and meaningful peer coaching (not mandated coaching). Meaningful change is going to require us as administrators, faculty, and staff in education to have a new mindset. We often all think we know all the problems, but to truly solve them will take a commitment to a true examination of ourselves, our school, trust, and consensus building.
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