Profession with a Target
The author of the article "What Other Profession Has a Target On Its Back?" sparks food for thought. Why is a cycle of culture wars and political ping pong hard to break? It is not easy for politicians to negatively criticize the same people they wish to get votes from for election. That goes for presidents, school board members, state assemblymen, ministers, and others. It is far easier to blame state test results on too many bad teachers than to hold up a mirror to society.
In "What Other Profession Has a Target On Its Back?", Sandy Asper makes the case for fact-based information, healthy community relationships, and personal responsibility, "In what other profession, indeed. In what other profession are the licensed professionals considered the LEAST knowledgeable about the job? You seldom if ever hear 'that guy couldn’t possibly know a thing about law enforcement – he’s a police officer', or 'she can’t be trusted talking about fire safety – she’s a firefighter.' But look around. You’ll find droves of armchair educators who summarily dismiss any statement about education when it comes from a teacher.
And if teachers dare ask for a raise, this is taken by many as clear evidence that teachers don’t give a porcupine’s posterior about kids. In fact, some say if teachers really cared about their students they would insist on earning LESS money. If that entire attitude weren’t bad enough, what other profession is legally held to PERFECTION...? Are police required to eliminate all crime?
If a poverty-stricken, drug-addled meth-cooker burns down his house, suffers third degree burns, and then goes to jail; we don’t blame the police, fire department, doctors, and defense attorneys for his predicament. But if that kid doesn’t graduate high school, it’s clearly the teacher’s fault."
As Asper reveals, listening to understand other perspectives is a great way to have meaningful conversations, to find common ground, and sharpen sensibilities. The key to outstanding experiences in school is to seek credible information about the learning community, creating and maintaining a healthy and vibrant neighborhood, and individual hard work.
"In The Privateers, Josh Cowen lays bare the surprising history of tax-funded school choice programs in the United States and warns of the dangers of education privatization. A former evaluator of state and local school voucher programs, Cowen demonstrates how, as such programs have expanded in the United States, so too has the evidence-informed case against them.
...Through deliberate policymaking, legislation, and litigation, Cowen reveals, an insular advocacy network has enacted a flawed system for education finance driven largely by dogma" (Harvard Education Press).
"Josh Cowen, a professor at Michigan State University, has been a voucher researcher for two decades. The more he studied vouchers, the more he realized that they harm children" (Cowen).
For instance, Professor Josh Cowen observed the commodification of learning by elites and the donor class. In spite of this fact, the majority of parents, teachers, and students work together and value teamwork within their public schools.
Analyzing the credibility of claims is essential to decipher between policies designed by the elites and experts. It is an essential citizenship skill to determine if an author provided facts, opinions, highly emotional claims, or propaganda (Purdue).
Overall, placing a target on teachers is not helpful. Individual dedication and home-to-school partnership is a hallmark of a healthy community. As evidenced by empirical research, news reports, and personal anecdotes, the vast majority of parents support the schools in their neighborhoods.
Join the Jesse Bluma at Pointe Viven circle:
Credits
Cowen, Josh. The Privateers.
http://patch.com/california/newportbeach/in-what-other-profession#photo-9007578
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