Fwd: First-day jitters abound; new teachers talk of test (fwd)

[Monty Neill <Mneillft@AOL.COM>]

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• To: Test-The-Test <clarke.fowler@salem.mass.edu>
• Subject: Re: First-day jitters abound; new teachers talk of test (fwd)
• From: Clark Fowler <rfowler@shore.net>
• Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1999 09:34:45 -0400 (EDT)
• Sender: rfowler@shore.net

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 16:55:54 -0400
From: Deborah Meier <dmeier@essentialschools.org>



It's interesting that two of the teachers quoted in the article above will
be teaching in private schools, and one--the kindergarten teacher--in what
sounds like a special magnet-type school. Would this have been true 5
years ago in articles about opening day jitters?

I note (I got an e-mail) that the Heritage Foundation is sponsoring a
conference entitled No Excuses aimed at teachers et al in poor schools--and
has a website by that name. What is it like--have you seen it? I can't
use the website well enough to browse into it. I'd like to form a
counter--"excuses welcome; but what next?" website. The implication that
the troubles teachers have in schools with large populations of poor
children are all in the category of excuses is interesting (euphemism for
infuriating) and part of the larger picture being painted which provides
the rationale for excluding teachers from the class of people whose
expertise is needed on the policy end. It also is interesting that it
exists alongside a larger society which excuses itself for all the other
huge gaps between the rich and poor--in terms of health, housing, child
care, and what kids must put up with during the 5/6 of their waking hours
each year when schools are not open. Only mothers and teachers aren't
allowed to defend their work without being accused of whining.

Women have always been particularly vulnerable to this scolding tone of
voice. We seem almost to thrive on this kind of digging away at our
"natural" guilty feelings. I've been listening to Dr. Laura --- I've
forgotten her last name - who gives advice on ABC to women--the vast
majority of whom she ruthlessly scolds for almost everything--especially
for any thoughts they might have about day care, abortion, or blaming their
husbands! No excuses is her line too. Just stay home and take care of
the kids.

Best, Deborah.



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