Op-Ed What happened to achievement?
“My students cannot learn that.” This phrase has been uttered by many within the realm of education. There is a culture of hand-holding that does not allow our students to learn and retain information. I have witnessed this praxis and pedagogy as a teacher of record, in addition to being a teacher that was asked to sit-in because of credential issues with a first-year. It all amounts to sending students out into the world ill-prepared to be critical thinkers. Sending students into the workforce without the analytical skills needed to process complex tasks. Sending students to college unable to access the curriculum because their teachers never allowed them to “take the leap”.This piece isn't about schools, in general, it is a critique of charters that sell the dream of upward mobility and success for its students. I am not saying all charter schools are missing the mark. On the contrary, I witnessed the various successes at an event that highlighted and showcased these schools of excellence, but this is not the norm is the charter world.
Many charters have teachers that are not prepared to be in a classroom. Teacher preparation programs are theoretical and have limited applicability to what goes in the classroom. While these teachers participate in student teaching during their training, they are not exposed to the pressures that are present in conjunction with being a teacher of record. Numerous curriculums are thrown at them during their training, but they are unable to deep dive and get the ins and outs of just one. These teachers themselves are grappling with the challenges of a curriculum they are not familiar with or it is thrust upon them in a timeframe that does not allow them to gain the confidence to implement it. I see worksheets that are low rigor which articulates to students they are incapable of learning the material which gives the impression of low expectations. These underlying messages of low expectations give way to classrooms that are chaotic, low engagement and low performance. Teachers that do all of the talking and do not allow students to be a part of the learning so they become spectators and not participants.
What needs to change? Well, for starters how teachers are being prepared to serve in Title 1 charter schools. These are the schools with students who have the biggest needs and require the most experienced educators for gains to be made. Where should first-year teachers be? In classrooms with these teachers who are veterans in their craft. Yes, I am speaking of an internship style environment. This not only benefits the students but allows this wet behind teachers to gain valuable experience in a co-teaching environment. No longer will be the days of our students being guinea pigs and ineffective teachers screaming “their students cannot learn or cannot do that”. It will give rise to students who will be served better and families who can have confidence in the alternative choice they have in their communities.
