Schools

Changing The Agenda

Did education reformers really believe that standardized tests as graduation requirements, closing schools and blaming teachers were viable means of creating student success? asks Bob Houghtaling.

This post was written by Bob Houghtaling.

The school reform movement has placed a great deal of emphasis on accountability. Using standardized tests and the common core, reformers have put students, teachers and schools on warning that they had better improve (or keep up). In doing this they have ignored one key component of accountability. What has been overlooked is leadership accountability.

Did education reformers really believe that standardized tests as graduation requirements, closing schools and blaming teachers were viable means of creating student success? Didn’t they recognize that English Language Learners, kids with special needs and those with socio-economic disadvantages would be negatively impacted?

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On top of all of this the recent resignation of Tony Bennett (Florida’s education chief) helps illustrate the pressure schools are under to perform well on testing measures. A number of scandals have been uncovered where some educational officials have changed student’s tests responses to enhance their district’s scores. This "Erase to the Top" mentality has not only led to the demise of a few education officials, it has also placed significant pressure on students and teachers. This pressure has been exacerbated by a banality promulgated by some of our leaders that cries out for conformity.

These dynamics were wrong yesterday. They are wrong today. Certainly, if continued, they will be wrong tomorrow. While many have spoken out against these measures, far too many educational leaders were either silent or went along with the reforms. To make matters worse a number of politicians have used much of this for political advantage. All the while kids have suffered. All the while the specter of more than 40 percent of R.I.’s high school seniors not meeting the present graduation requirements looms.

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The Providence Student Union, some parents, the ACLU and others are helping bring light to the crisis. Because of this, some educational leaders are beginning to jump on board (questioning the NECAPs as a graduation requirement). Did it have to come to this? Where were our leaders on this issue?

The State Board of Education is planning a meeting later this month. This meeting is being held at an undisclosed place and is closed to the public. The ACLU has filed an open meetings lawsuit regarding the session (with the intent of opening it up to the public). I am hoping that there will be a few additions to the meeting’s agenda. One addition needs to be Leadership Reform.

While seeking to make others accountable many leaders demonstrated a lack of vision, obsequiousness and obstinance. Hopefully, this can be addressed. Education should be magic. Instead, for many, it is tragic. Our leaders need to step in and breath new life into a system many are losing faith in.



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