“Effective schools” is a nebulous term. We could define them as those where students earn top scores on standardized tests; likewise, we could define them as schools in which students write cogent essays (or create paintings, music, and dance) expounding the evils of standardized tests.
@garyackerman It'd be great if we could define them as places where the students came out with their spirits uncrushed, and a firm idea of their next steps into the world.
@LShashaty @garyackerman Can you say more Lesley ?
Also could you explain the last half of Gary's post as I feel the original post had a bit of a confusing last half and was under-worded for my taste (I admit I had to look up these words below to try see what he meant and still not sure):
📖 Cogent (Adjective)
- Powerfully persuasive
📖 Expounding (Noun)
- A systematic interpretation or explanation (usually written) of a specific topic
I would ask him but prior questions have remained unanswered which is ok as we've done a lot of homework prior so natural to take a break / stay busy in output only mode.
But if you could help- I'd appreciate a fresh voice, both with his original post and your reply. Would appreciate that.
@LShashaty Agree - it's all deliberate and systematic as:
- spirit crushing
- forcing standards and for wanted funnels (also funnels out the unwanted)
- devaluation as they are the most genuine and die-hards + have no choice that way (chained)
(both in time and money almost proportionately devalued/chained)
🗨️ I made a post quoting you and mentioned you just now - hope you don't mind and made it before asking as I quote public posts anyway and easier to see what I mean so if you do mind I'll not do more. ✔️
@freeschool I am not an expert in any way. My observations come from my experience long ago in the English school system (as Pink Floyd said, "All in all we're just another brick in the wall"), and watching my three kids need to rediscover their true selves after the crush of K-12 in California.
Gary is thinking hard about standardized testing: my feeling is that that system is a large part of the problem.
One more thought from me: teachers are TIRED. I've seen the best and most dedicated need to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. It's hard to be inspiring, enthusiastic, and have the capacity to address the individual needs of your students at the best of times. They should be earning multiples of what we pay them today.