Frustrated Educators Aim to Build Grassroots Movement

[proud2BlibKansan]

Thousands of educators, parent activists, and others are expected to convene in the heat and humidity of Washington next month for a march protesting the current thrust of education policy in the United States, especially the strong emphasis on test-based accountability.

Organizers say the effort aims to galvanize and give voice to those who believe policymakers, including U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and state governors, have gone astray in their remedies for improving American schools. Leaders of the march—current and former educators among them—say they’re determined to build a grassroots movement that has staying power beyond the gathering this summer and “restores” a central role for educators, parents, and communities in policy decisions.

How widespread such sentiments are in the K-12 workforce is hard to quantify. The nation has more than 3 million public school teachers, and they’re a diverse bunch. And a lot of teachers may not pay much attention to national policy debates.

But march organizers and supporters suggest that many teachers have become increasingly frustrated with the test-driven accountability framework at the heart of the U.S. education system and look with alarm at the wave of teacher-evaluation measures being enacted in some states, pegged in part to student scores on standardized tests.

more . . . http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/06/15/35activists_ep.h30.html?tkn=QNQFFYJHiSOLnQ6duB%2FH10mHPP2Oi0y+CaTX&intc=bs#.TfjJQSS2FHA;facebook

[immoderate]

1. K&R

--imm

[ixion]

2. "And a lot of teachers may not pay much attention to national policy debates."

What a poor sentence for a news article, especially coming from an education rag.

First off, you shouldn't start a sentence with a conjunction. I know it is done often these days, but it's done too often, in my opinion.

Second, the use of the phrase 'a lot'. I mean really, there are far more accurate descriptors out there, and the phrase is generally considered poor grammar.

Third, introducing a topic like this is editorial without attribution. The statement is made without any reliable data to back it up.

Fourth, any teacher that's not paying attention to what's going on nationally is very likely a poor teacher. Not always, but that's a flag, by my reckoning.

My bet is that this sentence was introduced by an editor. It seems very awkward and out-of-place.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. But do you understand what they are trying to say?

[ixion]

4. Yes, although it's stated poorly

which ultimately weakens their argument.

I fully agree that there is an enormous problem with the current state of public education, and I'm glad to see teachers organize on a grassroots level. Now they just need to sharpen up their writing skills. ;)

Words are power, and a thesis is only as successful as the words by which you define it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. The author doesn't seem to be a teacher

ERIK W. ROBELEN
Erik Robelen is an assistant editor and reporter for Education Week and co-author of the blog Curriculum Matters. His beats include curriculum (arts, humanities, math, science, social studies), textbooks, grading policy, elementary and middle school issues, as well as philanthropy. He also covers the states of Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Utah, and Wisconsin.

[ixion]

6. I'll bet he has an education background

it would seem to go hand-in-glove for a job like that.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. I don't understand why it matters

There is a march in DC on July 30. If you want more info, here's the website: http://www.saveourschoolsmarch.org/

[callous taoboy]

10. You forgot the period after the word "matters."

Just kidding, Proud. Love you.

:P

[SoCalDem]

7. The problem I see is this

Any "new system" has overlap issues. These newly organized teachers will have to make a living, and will have to charge parents for the students they will ultimately teach. these same parents will be paying taxes for the (so-called) "free public education" they have always felt entitled to.. In times of need, like we are in, it's going to be an uphill struggle to get enough money to make it worthwhile to the teachers, and still affordable to a massive amount of parents. Without this happening, it will be like any other "private school" setup.

Probably most parents are upset at what "school" has become, and would love an option, but if you cannot afford to pay , it probably won't go far :(.. These schools would be in direct competition with the charter movement, and those folks have deep pockets...in addition to public school money :grr:

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. There is a march in DC on July 30.

If you want more info, here's the website: http://www.saveourschoolsmarch.org/