James Ensor Assignment

A few days ago (or closer to a week or so) a diarist, James Ensor, asked if anybody wanted a writing assignment. I asked for one and this is what he gave me: You’re given carte blanche to redesign the complete K-12 curriculum. What do you keep? What do you lose? What do you change? Which ODers/Proseboxers do you recruit to help you launch your new curriculum? What are the odds for success or failure for this curriculum over the next ten years?

I’d have to say the first thing I’d get rid of is the data mining of children. I understand the need to keep teachers accountable for what is being taught, but labeling schools as "failing" or "focus" or "excelling" based on a test you give to children between the ages of 7 and 18 is absurd. It’s equivalent to a final exam in college that covers everything from day one of class, only there is no true study guide, no curve, and oh…by the way…if you don’t pass this ONE exam you could cause your teacher to lose her job, your school to lose its funding, and you won’t be able to take AP classes, graduate on time, and could end up repeating the grade/class (even if you have proven that you know the material in another way, but just SUCK at taking tests).

There are better ways to keep teachers accountable. For example: peer reviews, administration evaluations, parent evaluations, continuing education, portfolios. Teachers are professionals. They have the same as, if not more, education as doctors, lawyers, and CEOs. They should be treated as such and have ample opportunities to prove their worth. 

I will admit that I like the idea of a common curriculum across the country. I think it makes sense that certain skills are covered in certain grades so that students who relocate don’t end up with gaps in their education. That being said, there should be enough room for teachers to determine what needs to be taught in their room in that specific year. Some years, teachers get students who come with more than other years. The curriculum needs to be flexible enough for teachers to make that call.

I would keep teacher mentoring programs. It’s so important for new teachers to have support their first year. They need a mentor that has proven success with all sorts of class types. The mentor should be in their building and within one grade that they teach. Having someone they can go to daily to problem solve will help them become better teachers and help with the fast growing teacher turn over. 

I would raise the salaries. It should be par with what other professionals make with equal education.

I would make school go almost year round with breaks between quarters instead of lumped in the summer. Information retention would be better because there would be less time off task.

All of this feels like a pipe dream, but it’s all doable. I just need somebody with time, money, and power to help…who’s in?