I had started reading The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education by Diane Ravitch just after Christmas hoping to finish before we started our schooling back up . . . not so much. I can't recall where I heard about this book, but I was interested in reading it now that J is enrolled in public school. I have noticed a very strong emphasis on the ISTEP tests, whose use recently is somewhat contradictory to what I feel is the important part of education. I have finally finished this very insightful read and wanted to share a few things.
To begin with, the author has some pretty hefty credentials. Despite (or maybe because of) her experience and appointments, she has changed her perspective on what she has supported and touted in the past. She goes to great length to describe the current educational reform trends and to examine many of the "leading" school systems across the country. Standardized testing, No Child Left Behind, privatization, teacher accountability, choice and charter schools, and private foundations funding school reforms are all discussed. Ravitch challenges the reader to think about the purpose of education (educating the child as a whole to give them knowledge and understanding because "without knowledge and understanding, one tends to become a passive spectator rather than an active participant in the great decisions of our time") and reminds them that "there is no single answer to educational improvement".
On discussing the taking over of schools by mayors and businessmen, she states that "Even officials of the highest integrity must be subject to checks and balances to ensure that they listen to those they serve".
There has been reform that suggests that if schools are run as businesses, then they would perform better. The idea that schools should be a "free-market" has placed many outside the education field into the school system where the bottom line is likely to be looked at instead of what is best for the child. Traditionally, public schools have been run by those in the community and that "the market undermines traditional values and traditional ties; it undermines morals, which rest on community consensus. If there is no community consensus, then one person's sense of morals is as good as the next, and neither takes precedence. This may be great for the entertainment industry, but it is not healthy for children".
On the subject of testing and test preparation, "New York University's Robert Tobias, who was testing director of the New York City schools for thirteen years, criticized 'unhealthy over-reliance on testing as a facile tool for educational reform and political advantage' and said, 'Much of this test preparation is not designed to increase student learning but rather to try to beat or game the test'." Ravitch encourages a strong all around curriculum, not just focus on reading and mathematics (which is what most tests test) "Ironically, test prep is not always the best preparation for taking tests. Children expand their vocabulary and improve their reading skills when they learn history, science, and literature, just as they may sharpen their mathematics skills while learning science and geography".
As there seems to be a movement to hold schools and teachers accountable for test results, I felt that the author's statement that "The problem with using tests to make important decisions about people's lives is that most standardized tests are not precise instruments" along with many studies and examples of the inconsistencies of testing that she sights, brings to light that "tests can be designed and used well or badly" and that they are not the only answer. "Testing experts also warn that test scores should be used only for the purpose for which the test was designed: For example, a fifth-grade reading test measures fifth-grade reading skills and cannot reliably serve as a measure of the teacher's skill". Also, "one problem with test-based accountability, as currently defined and used, is that it removes all responsibility from students and their families for the students' academic performance".
This book is filled with many studies and studies of studies that started to blur together after the first chapter or two. They were used to make many valid points, however, but I got the point she was trying to make after the first example or two. She spends the first 10 chapters on the errors and inconsistencies of current reform and the last on her "lessons learned". She keeps referring to the idea that the curriculum needs to be addressed and finally in the last chapter the reader gets to hear her suggestions. I feel she provides real insights and an overall perspective to the difficulties public education in America is facing.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Book Review
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Day296-302
Day 297, Monday, October 24th
Scout awards tonight! L was really looking forward to it - until they mentioned that he would be getting his face painted like an Indian. L has never liked face-painting, fake tattoos, even stamps. Even at a visit to Chucky Cheese, I have to convince him that he can't go in unless he gets an invisible stamp on his hand! This dislike is written all over his face!
Day 298, Tuesday, October 26th
I have been spending a lot of time here lately - my part-time pizza making job! Isn't it cute?! Before it was a pizza place, it was a barber shop. My father remembers getting his hair cut here when he was a boy. No matter what you asked for, everyone got the same cut!
Day 299, Wednesday, October 27th
My read I have been trying to get through. My brother and a brother-in-law suggested it. Not hard to get through, just hard to find the time to sit down and read it!
Day 300, Thursday, October 28th
Baked apples from Kim! Yummilicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Day 302, Saturday, October 30th
Can anyone say T-R-O-U-B-L-E?! Baby Girl didn't want to eat them, she just wanted to dump them all over the floor! And her attempts to make sure she got sick (using M's toothbrush and drinking from two of his "sick" cups yesterday) apparently worked - she was up shortly after bedtime getting sick. :(
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Day 219-225
Monday, January 18, 2010
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Random
Luke just started attending Bible Study Fellowship in the evening with his Grandpa Gorbics. He came home so excited and had written down all the names of the kids in his group! He did comment on how big the name tags were! (BSF is known for their large name tags!)
Jake was asking us about the difference in what we believe and Catholicism on the way home from small group. Not sure if I got it all correct . . . He then asked "If they think they are right and we think we are right, who is really right?"
Norah has given us a couple of chuckles lately. Her first one was when Dan was holding her on his lap and playing with the dog with his feet. She started cracking up! I've gotten a few other little chuckles out, but none as good as the first - what a great sound to hear!
Micah is reading now! He is about 1/4 of the way through our reading book and doing great! I just love teaching my kids how to read!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Happy Birthday Jake!
Yesterday was Jake's 12th birthday! I can't believe he's twelve! This is what we see alot of these days - his nose in a book! Now I understand how my parents felt when I was young! He's been reading the Redwall books by Brian Jacques. I love to watch him read - he cracks up laughing frequently and he'll stop to read parts to us now and then.
Jake - you are growing into such a wonderful young man! I appreciate your helpful attitude and you stepping up and being so responsible! You are always up for a trip to the grocery store with me and I enjoy our time spent together. I like how well you interact with your brothers and sister and cousins - esp. when they are younger than you. I hope you had a great day!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Leadership and Self-Deception
I am currently reading this book at the suggestion of my brother.
I checked it out for my mother, but have not given it to her yet.
It is geared for a business, but is very helpful for any relationship.
It is very interesting and not nearly as intimidating as it sounds and looks!
Back to School
Monday, August 17, 2009
Choose Your Own Adventure
Monday, May 5, 2008
Coincidence?
I have recenlty finished reading Tracy Kidder's Mountains Beyond Mountains about Dr. Paul Farmer. I was referred to this book by a friend who always challenges me to think differently than I am in the habit of thinking. I would recommend it for so many reasons, but I am not going to list them all. I was at work last night and got to watch my bi-monthly episode of 60 minutes. I was thrilled to see that they were airing a segment on Paul Farmer and the work he does all over the world. Take a look and if it interest you, read the book!
Ok, so the plan was to have the 60 minutes video, but that is not working, so here is a link to another blog that you can watch it on.
