Posts Tagged ‘nclb’
The People’s Republic of California doesn’t require freshman-level history or social science. Therefore, our district doesn’t teach it.
In its place is a yearlong freshman health class — think “Communicable Diseases and You” — split with a seminar on how to succeed as a high school student. State-mandated and standards-driven, this approach looks good on paper.
The irony of the freshman seminar is that despite the adoption of the high school success class, the post-freshman dropout rate stubbornly stays at half.
World history teachers have an even less rosy perspective. As freshmen, the students’ mind is wiped clean. Whole classes’ worth don’t know what a continent is. Our sophomores might be able to place the nation of “Afrcia” on a map.
In response, the department wants a freshman map-quiz-current-events class. I want to teach it. We won’t get that chance. Continue Reading »
Whether I had wanted to or not, I interviewed for summer school today.
How did it go?
For a metaphor, imagine: romantic date, with candles alight and mood set. Across the mother’s-best linen tablecloth, the prettiest girl you’d ever hope to woo. Things get off to a rocky start.
I’m not sure what to say, because I realize there are very specific things she wants to hear. I’m nervous and unsure. After what seems like a year, my mind is frozen, still. I say the first honest thought that pops into my head.
“You look like someone who likes donuts.”
That was my summer school interview today. It was a living, breathing faux pas. I never know how to say what I want when I want to say it. Continue Reading »
“How could we successfully legislate education reforms?”
My master teacher paused for a moment. This did not compute, so I broadened the question.
“Or, what should we get rid of?” She had an answer to that, at least.
“Well, I’m glad you said that, because I was going to say, ‘outlaw No Child Left Behind.’ The federal government has no place in the classroom. That’s something that’s best left for states to decide.”
What reforms could California do, then? She had pretty good suggestions. Continue Reading »
