Imagine if someone held a box out in front of you. You notice that a baseball sized hole was cut into one side of the box. The holder of the box then asks you to stick your hand inside of the hole. You, of course, ask why? The holder of the box simply explains that it will give you character, and make you a much better person. You think about it, then reach slowly towards the hole...you hesitate. You ask...what is inside the box? The holder of the box states...I don't know. What do YOU do?
You could analyze, or break down this silly scenario a dozen ways or more. For instance, what if the box holder was someone in authority, someone who is in a position to make decisions that could effect your future? What if the box-holder was someone with whom you have placed trust? What if you represented everyone else, and what if the box represented a great deal of money that would enable all box-holders to have fancy boxes to temp countless other you's to reach inside. Finally, what if the unknown contents of the box, the I don't know part...what if that represented the belief that a box can hold the quality of human character, and instill the virtues of becoming a much better person. Do you think more or less people would reach into the hole?
For me the determining factor would be what was inside the box? It wouldn't matter to me what the outcome would be if I reached inside. Nor would it matter who the box-holder was, nor to how much money would be paid if I complied.
As educators we have been in the position of YOU many times over the years. We have been asked to believe that this program, or that program would enhance our education system. As a nation of teachers we have complied, and the programs that promised to enhance our education systems have failed miserably. NCLB was liken to a scorpion hiding within the box. It stung us, and it hurt us. Now we are asked to reach inside the box yet again. I truly believe that more educators will be reluctant to comply. Trusting that any box, or program, or law that carries with it the directive that all students will be at 100% proficiency by a certain date...is likely to fail, or unlikely to succeed.
To make an educational decision denotes that one must have facts that will then form theories. Recently it seems that the unknown factor presented in the above scenario is of a much grander scale this time around. It seems I have heard more theories that are being suited to form facts!
I have no idea what is coming regarding our most recent program (Race to the Top), but I already feel that it isn't going to be good.
I believe in my vocation, I believe in my kids, and I love teaching with all of my heart. I will not reach into the box, but I will comply, though NOT at the expense of my kids. Like most of you out there...I believe that no program, or law can make me a better educator. Just like a beautiful house starts out as a design on paper...only a skilled architect cane make it real. Programs are just ink on a page...we are the one's who bring it to life in our classrooms. We breath life into every lesson, and make every lesson real.
OK, I am done now. If anyone does read my ramblings...I apologize. I stated a while ago that I wouldn't go the political route, or any of that crap. This post...like all of the others before and what comes after...is just me stating my view. Nothing more, nothing less.
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