Seven things teachers are sick of hearing from school reformers.

This article begins with a mention of a psychological study that showed how polite people are more likely to follow orders, good or bad, and not question authority.  An important point because many teachers are too concerned with keeping their jobs to raise questions and spark debate amongst teachers and administrators.  It ends with a call for reformers to stay out of the way of teachers.

Ian Altman is the author of this scathing response to school reformers.  Altman equates these people to  condescending propagandists for a top-down system that only seeks to promote its own relevance, despite all evidence to the contrary.  The simple fact that the common core is near-Gospel and was "passed" (read: monetarily coerced into practice, read this) without any justification for doing so is enough to make the most complacent parents and educators wonder why we spend any time and money on it at all.



Educational reformers seem to love programs like the common core because not only are there numerous products and licenses to sell, but they get to shield their inadequacies behind jargon that stifles constructive dialogue concerning the efficacy of such programs.

While I agree with the many voices railing against the public school system, alternatives must be devised alongside the current system and new methods promoted, these seven points demonstrate the major way that public schools fail and give a glimpse of how they might actually succeed.

Altman's message is clear: leave the task of educating our youth up to the professionals, not the polemicists.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/08/14/seven-things-teachers-are-sick-of-hearing-from-school-reformers/