N+大狗变28-300啥时候涨上来啊，手里还有6,7个呢# PhotoGear - 摄影器材
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By Diane Ravitch
Last week, NPR had a story about how "dumb" our students are, compared to
those in other countries. The story title said that our high school
graduates are on par with high school dropouts elsewhere on international
tests. [SEE http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/03/10/469831485/americas-high-school-graduates-look-like-other-countries-high-school-dropouts ]
For myself, I always wonder how critics can say in one breath that we live
in the greatest nation in the world, and in the next breath say that we have
the worst schools and dumbest students in the world. This bizarre logic
then leads to the rephormer claim that we must cut the budget for public
schools and push for the transfer of funds to religious schools (not known
for teaching STEM simubjects) or to brand-new charters run by corporations
or amateurs. You might think that only a knucklehead could believe in such
truly foolish ideas but our major foundations--Gates, Walton, Broad, Arnold,
Helmsley, and others--relentlessly push this line of baloney.
One reader referred to the story and blamed "bad" teachers. Another reader
who is both teacher and parent, responded here:
"Let me give you a different perspective, assuming you are willing to listen.
"All schools are not "failing." I worked years in industry (high tech) and
can assure you, on a aggregate level, America's graduates far exceed the
capability of most other countries. I can't count the number of H1bs I hired
that, while good employees, lacked the adaptability and critical thinking
required to solve problems. In those countries that ARE on par with us, they
support their schools, respect and value teachers, and believe in both a
strong college OR vocational pathway. Are some schools "failing"? Sure, but
the reasons rarely have to do with teacher competence.
"Now I teach math. So you are free to blame us evil math teachers for your
child's struggle. I've heard it all before. Here's the reality. I teach
students who are "high risk" in math. Often, I battle a accumulation of
years of external issues - poverty, health problems, learning challenges,
disinterested parents, violence, drugs, mental health - the list goes on. I
have never abandoned a student, but many parents have. Politicians blame
teachers, but then cut social programs, employment opportunities, and health
programs. Business complains, but then wiggles out of financially
supporting schools, ships good jobs overseas, and pushes job training onto
schools. Keep in mind, too, that k-12 works to retain and teach ALL students
. Post secondary operates by screening out and eliminating students. Very
different missions.
"The students do lack various math skills. I see seniors unable to add
fractions trying to solve trig problems. One common thread in math
illiteracy is these students are reluctant learners and avoid math. Math is
not sesame street. It takes careful study and practice. I can make it "
entertaining" and I'll try my best with a 150+ student roster to "
differentiate" and individually reach out to each student, but America does
not want great teachers, only inexpensive ones.
"I am also a parent of a struggling student. Unlike you, I took
responsibility from kindergarten for his learning. I followed his progress
and alphabet soup of diagnoses. I didn't just sit back and blame teachers, I
actively worked with teachers. I learned about new subjects to help him
through school. I reached out and showed interest. I even lost a job
focusing on my kids' well being. Were all teachers perfect? No, they are
human. But I made it work. My kid is going to college. He still struggles,
but the journey doesn't end with some kids when they become adults. Think
before unfairly indicting a profession.
**************************************************
Last week, NPR had a story about how "dumb" our students are, compared to
those in other countries. The story title said that our high school
graduates are on par with high school dropouts elsewhere on international
tests. [SEE http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/03/10/469831485/americas-high-school-graduates-look-like-other-countries-high-school-dropouts ]
For myself, I always wonder how critics can say in one breath that we live
in the greatest nation in the world, and in the next breath say that we have
the worst schools and dumbest students in the world. This bizarre logic
then leads to the rephormer claim that we must cut the budget for public
schools and push for the transfer of funds to religious schools (not known
for teaching STEM simubjects) or to brand-new charters run by corporations
or amateurs. You might think that only a knucklehead could believe in such
truly foolish ideas but our major foundations--Gates, Walton, Broad, Arnold,
Helmsley, and others--relentlessly push this line of baloney.
One reader referred to the story and blamed "bad" teachers. Another reader
who is both teacher and parent, responded here:
"Let me give you a different perspective, assuming you are willing to listen.
"All schools are not "failing." I worked years in industry (high tech) and
can assure you, on a aggregate level, America's graduates far exceed the
capability of most other countries. I can't count the number of H1bs I hired
that, while good employees, lacked the adaptability and critical thinking
required to solve problems. In those countries that ARE on par with us, they
support their schools, respect and value teachers, and believe in both a
strong college OR vocational pathway. Are some schools "failing"? Sure, but
the reasons rarely have to do with teacher competence.
"Now I teach math. So you are free to blame us evil math teachers for your
child's struggle. I've heard it all before. Here's the reality. I teach
students who are "high risk" in math. Often, I battle a accumulation of
years of external issues - poverty, health problems, learning challenges,
disinterested parents, violence, drugs, mental health - the list goes on. I
have never abandoned a student, but many parents have. Politicians blame
teachers, but then cut social programs, employment opportunities, and health
programs. Business complains, but then wiggles out of financially
supporting schools, ships good jobs overseas, and pushes job training onto
schools. Keep in mind, too, that k-12 works to retain and teach ALL students
. Post secondary operates by screening out and eliminating students. Very
different missions.
"The students do lack various math skills. I see seniors unable to add
fractions trying to solve trig problems. One common thread in math
illiteracy is these students are reluctant learners and avoid math. Math is
not sesame street. It takes careful study and practice. I can make it "
entertaining" and I'll try my best with a 150+ student roster to "
differentiate" and individually reach out to each student, but America does
not want great teachers, only inexpensive ones.
"I am also a parent of a struggling student. Unlike you, I took
responsibility from kindergarten for his learning. I followed his progress
and alphabet soup of diagnoses. I didn't just sit back and blame teachers, I
actively worked with teachers. I learned about new subjects to help him
through school. I reached out and showed interest. I even lost a job
focusing on my kids' well being. Were all teachers perfect? No, they are
human. But I made it work. My kid is going to college. He still struggles,
but the journey doesn't end with some kids when they become adults. Think
before unfairly indicting a profession.
**************************************************
