By Michael Swickard, Ph.D. - Calls to reform New Mexico Public Education have gone on for so long no one remembers when there were not reform calls, if ever. They are the status quo. Know this: continuing to do what in the past took New Mexico public education to where it is right now is inexcusable. Rather than attempt to reform a broken model of education; New Mexico must innovate fundamentally or suffer the same old results... Our core goal must be for students to do well. Therefore, at least 90 percent of public school students must be able to read on grade level at all times. To reach that goal we must have a robust measurement both descriptively where students are and prescriptively, if they continue doing what they are doing will they be on grade level by the end of the year? So you know, the 90 percent reading on grade level goal has been tried previously. With lots of work, it was realized.
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Swickard Column: Forget reform, only fundamental innovation will succeed
By Michael Swickard, Ph.D. - Calls to reform New Mexico Public Education have gone on for so long no one remembers when there were not reform calls, if ever. They are the status quo. Know this: continuing to do what in the past took New Mexico public education to where it is right now is inexcusable. Rather than attempt to reform a broken model of education; New Mexico must innovate fundamentally or suffer the same old results... Our core goal must be for students to do well. Therefore, at least 90 percent of public school students must be able to read on grade level at all times. To reach that goal we must have a robust measurement both descriptively where students are and prescriptively, if they continue doing what they are doing will they be on grade level by the end of the year? So you know, the 90 percent reading on grade level goal has been tried previously. With lots of work, it was realized. Read column
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3 comments:
"90% will be able to read on grade level" Impossible unless you drop what you mean by "grade level" to a point where those of lower intelligence can perform. There is proven a range of intellect from a bottom intelligence to a top intelligence with a large number at the middle. In order to get 90% to level, the level must be brought down to include those below the middle. Only 50% are above so, the other 50% must be below. In order to meet the desired results, the bar must be set for the low end or those students will never make the cutoff.
If and when the State of New Mexico ever decides to embrace the concept of vouchers, that's WHEN we'll begin to find out whether or not we've been getting the most out of the public schools educators. It's my belief that the teacher's union has successfully lobbied the legislature to steer clear of incorporating any programs or processes that would create competition and expose under performing educators. The question; why is public education in America so far behind the rest of the world? reminds me of a line from the film, "A Few Good Men", in which Col. Nathan R. Jessep said, "...you can't handle the truth..." I don't think anyone really wants to know the truth. Public education has evolved, somewhat, like the former U.S.S.R. where the people pretended to work while the government pretended to pay them. Until the education of our youth becomes a highly competitive endeavor, mediocrity will continue to be the people's product of choice via leadership's desire to avoiding ruffling feathers and making tough decisions. I firmly believe privatizing education altogether would foster a highly competitive environment. However, many would argue that too many kids would be left floundering. But...isn't that ALREADY the case? Best practices can sometimes be a double edge sword. However, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting a different result.
Privatizing education is a great concept in theory. However, turning public education over to private industry would mean two things would have to happen. #1- The need for elected school board officials would be significantly reduced. If privatization thrived, elected school boards would eventually disappear altogether and become something of the past. These individuals tend to thrive on their position of power. They are not likely to support any changes that would compromise their influence even if it meant that our kids would be better educated and better prepared to compete in the world. #2- The teacher's unions would revolt. Improving education is not a union priority. Any process that would force union bosses to have to renegotiate with a new entity would be met with great resistance. This is precisely why the concept of vouchers is vehemently objected to by unions and educators. The notion of being forced to compete terrifies them.
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