Comments on: All Things To Everyone http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/2008/07/14/all-things-to-everyone/ Closing the Achievement Gap: Teaching Content Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:02:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Karen http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/2008/07/14/all-things-to-everyone/#comment-4319 Karen Tue, 22 Jul 2008 17:18:39 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=569#comment-4319 I usually don't respond to blogs like this but this one really got me going: Excuse me, but isn't this the problem with education today -- trying to be all things to all people? A schools' job is to educate... and as a parent, I do not want someone else pushing their own social agenda on my child, especially at school. Yes, parents are abdicating their responsibility, but it is not the schools' responsibility to make up for parental deficits! I usually don’t respond to blogs like this but this one really got me going: Excuse me, but isn’t this the problem with education today — trying to be all things to all people? A schools’ job is to educate… and as a parent, I do not want someone else pushing their own social agenda on my child, especially at school. Yes, parents are abdicating their responsibility, but it is not the schools’ responsibility to make up for parental deficits!

]]> By: Rachel http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/2008/07/14/all-things-to-everyone/#comment-4265 Rachel Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:19:41 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=569#comment-4265 <i>1. kill NCLB-type accountability stop pounding so much of its resources down the dry hole of blame and shame creating CYA.</i> So how do we break out of the trap where to call into question NCLB-type accountability (which I agree is counter-productive and full of perverse incentive) is to be labeled an apologist for mediocrity and the status-quo? 1. kill NCLB-type accountability stop pounding so much of its resources down the dry hole of blame and shame creating CYA.

So how do we break out of the trap where to call into question NCLB-type accountability (which I agree is counter-productive and full of perverse incentive) is to be labeled an apologist for mediocrity and the status-quo?

]]> By: KDeRosa http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/2008/07/14/all-things-to-everyone/#comment-4261 KDeRosa Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:32:21 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=569#comment-4261 <i>2. direct resources toward the Randi/Bolder Broader approach</i> I have a better idea. Let's wait until you can proffer some evidence that the Randi/Bolder Broader approach actually works. 2. direct resources toward the Randi/Bolder Broader approach

I have a better idea. Let’s wait until you can proffer some evidence that the Randi/Bolder Broader approach actually works.

]]> By: john thompson http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/2008/07/14/all-things-to-everyone/#comment-4259 john thompson Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:20:19 +0000 http://www.coreknowledge.org/blog/?p=569#comment-4259 Robert, You just defined the problem when you wrote: "Too often in my South Bronx elementary school it felt as if education were an afterthought, and that we functioned as the social services agency of last resort. The resources required for all schools to function as community centers are daunting, to understate the case." We need a three step approach: 1. kill NCLB-type accountability stop pounding so much of its resources down the dry hole of blame and shame creating CYA. 2. direct resources toward the Randi/Bolder Broader approach, using the argument of "pay me now or pay me later," and 3. figure out a way to address your point. We don't yet have answers to your question, but at least it directs us down the right path. We have a couple of years, and I hope the edusphere can contribute. Robert,

You just defined the problem when you wrote:

“Too often in my South Bronx elementary school it felt as if education were an afterthought, and that we functioned as the social services agency of last resort. The resources required for all schools to function as community centers are daunting, to understate the case.”

We need a three step approach:

1. kill NCLB-type accountability stop pounding so much of its resources down the dry hole of blame and shame creating CYA.
2. direct resources toward the Randi/Bolder Broader approach, using the argument of “pay me now or pay me later,” and
3. figure out a way to address your point.

We don’t yet have answers to your question, but at least it directs us down the right path. We have a couple of years, and I hope the edusphere can contribute.

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