Opinion
Education Letter to the Editor

In Current Climate, It’s No Wonder Educators Feel Under Siege

November 23, 2010 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

To the Editor:

With respect to Frederick M. Hess’ Commentary (“The Same Thing Over and Over,” Nov. 10, 2010), I would like to add my own three cents to his considerable currency.

Rarely, if ever, do policymakers or building administrators ask teachers, “What do you need?” or “What do you think?” Rather like developing tactics without conferring with troops on the front lines, yes?

Instead, prescriptives are handed down from on high, usually drafted by the unidentified and unseen, and educators are expected to bowl behind the curtain of disconnected imperatives of accountability. High-stakes tests based upon malleable standards are a case in point. To circumvent the home-rule trap of promoting a national curriculum, such tests are squared with remote, discrete interpretations of the standards rather than accordant with a comprehensive curriculum that exists in their respective school systems.

Is it any wonder educators feel unfairly maligned and under siege?

Bruce Taylor

Director of Education
Washington National Opera
Washington, D.C.

A version of this article appeared in the December 01, 2010 edition of Education Week as In Current Climate, It’s No Wonder Educators Feel Under Siege

Events

Budget & Finance Webinar Leverage New Funding Sources with Data-Informed Practices
Address the whole child using data-informed practices, gain valuable insights, and learn strategies that can benefit your district.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Classroom Technology Webinar
ChatGPT & Education: 8 Ways AI Improves Student Outcomes
Revolutionize student success! Don't miss our expert-led webinar demonstrating practical ways AI tools will elevate learning experiences.
Content provided by Inzata
Classroom Technology K-12 Essentials Forum Tech Is Everywhere. But Is It Making Schools Better?
Join us for a lively discussion about the ways that technology is being used to improve schools and how it is falling short.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Briefly Stated: May 31, 2023
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Briefly Stated: May 17, 2023
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Briefly Stated: May 3, 2023
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Briefly Stated: April 26, 2023
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read