Re: [ca-resisters] Districts plan to increase class size

["Alan Young" <alanyoung@mchsi.com>]

 Hi all -

If one reduces class size just to improve test scores one misses the point
and still misunderstand. The education is better in immeasurable other ways
more important than test scores if teachers now can do learner-centered
education in deeper, holistic, relational ways that could not be entertained
with huge numbers. As long as we play their game of measuring better quality
education by the same old faulty instrument [1940s and 50s medicine in 21st
century world to play George C.'s medical analogy - none of us would want to
be treated today as such when we have so much more sophisticated, nuanced,
learner-centered (patient-centered) assessment available], then we buy into
their assumptions. If we choose to use any terminology that they do, we must
do so pointedly and purposefully, filling it with our meaning. This works to
reach the lay person who can not only see our perspective, but the
problematic nature of how the term has been used to control people by those
in power for their gain.

For example;

It is THEY that have the low STANDARD of care for our children. We would
never treat our children with such a cavalier, insensitive, and
oversimplistic way. I am for ACCOUNTABILITY. . . TO the children I teach. I
must do what is best for them. I believe we must have an educator's oath or
creeed to DO NO HARM. I am for ACCOUNTABILITY . . . THEIRS . . THE
TESTOCRATS and STANDARDISTOS and political powers that be who are breaking
the public trust with their misguided, laking support of the most important
cornerstone of democracy and freeedom! I demand accountability FROM the
politicians who have chosen to try to provide education on the CHEAP. This
is sleight of hand and political subterfuge to displace THEIR LACK OF
ACCOUNTABILITY, THEIR LACK OF SUPPORT, THEIR LACK OF UNDERSTANDING about the
explosion of knowledge in the field of education and human learning by
blaming kids, teachers, and schools who have so little time organize and
fight back as they are overwhelmed by the increasing demands of their
profession. IT IS THEY WHO SHOW LACK OF RESPECT TO TEACHERS AND CHILDREN
though they cloak it in coopted language to try to suggest differently. It
is THEY that have ignored the real relationship between poverty and
education. It is THEY that have chosen to not make the tough public policy
decisions to try to ameliorate our societies inequities, trying to use
school to solve all our societies social inequities to set up as a
convenient scapegoat, whpping boy to blame to distract the public from real
issues and solutions that they fail to enact.

 And we would get mad as hell at the doctor who was treating our every
illness with the same old faulty test, dressed up to look new, but based on
the same faulty science, that has been so overturned during the past fifty
years. They are selling snake oil. And if we found out that some were
treating us so, not because they were well-meaning incompetents, but rather
so they saved/made tons of  money much more money for themselves and their
friends at the expense of patient care, I am scared to contemplate what
would happen. No doctor or lawyer would stand for such. Rise up teachers and
show your backbone and intelligence. The public distrusts them ever so much
more than us. We must go to them and use this public trust and capital that
we have earned and deserved. They do believe us so much more than THEM, so
we must speak, speak clearly, speak loudly, speak often, and speak together.
We will be heard if we do so. WE must hold THEM accountable for the sake of
our children, ourselves, our democracy's and our future's sake.

Alan Young