This week we did a group work assignment on how different types of schools in the United States are run, and who makes the decisions in each type. It was interesting to see the different types of schools and the advantages and disadvantages of each model, specifically the amount of autonomy each model has regarding funding and their budget. With everything in education boiling down to budgets and money these days it was definitely a good project to see which types of school's can be more free spending and which ones have their hands tied by a strict budget.
Another thing we did this week was watch a video of a lecture by Ken Robinson called "Paradigm Shift". I believe he raises some very key points about the current state of education. He recounts the Enlightenment Period and how it was one of the most innovative, creative and productive times in history, and how we are no longer pushing students to become creative, individuals, or attempting to innovate. Everything that is being done in education right now is attempting to generalize, standardize and make every student fit one specific model.
Clearly those in positions of power who want teachers to follow such methods as differentiated instruction and to teach each student based on their specific needs are not following their own advice when they design one standardized test which every student must pass to decide if the student and teacher are performing at a proficient level. How can they expect the teacher to differentiate instruction and tailor a specific lesson in multiple ways to fit every type of learner, and then the ultimate goal at the end of the year is that everyone passes the same test?
Perhaps the reason why billions of dollars are being spent on education and no progress is being made is because the tests which determine if you pass or fail are not of the same method of delivery which the student is used to from the school year? After a year of differentiated instruction and having assignments designed specifically for them, to then be given a test which is written in a way which is nothing like what they've seen during the year seems very counterproductive.
I feel as though we were just talking about this! It is amazing the disconnect between how we learn what teachers should do and what teachers need to do in order to be "successful". All students do not learn the same way and we are told to teach them accordingly, therefore, we should be assessing our students in the same manner we were teaching them; even if that means assessing portfolios rather than state tests. We need to encourage students to be themselves and be creative but we also need to assess them in that same manner.
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