Say What???
During course of yesterday’s annual Parent Open House/Work the Faculty to Death Day, two of my colleagues were caught off-guard by the parent of a seventh grader re: standards. One colleague teaches English; the other, social studies. In any event, the parent in question asked to what degree does the curriculum of BWYA Independent School align with the state standards. An intelligent and insighful question, I remarked to my colleagues. They, however, neither perceived nor received the parent’s question in quite the same manner. To the contrary: they perceived it as “annoying” and “knit-picky.” A parent in the presentation of the social studies colleague saved the day as it were by chiming in that independent schools set their own curriculum, and that BWYA Independent School’s curriculum is in line with other independent schools in the area. Well, I am not sure how accurate the latter part of that statement is, but the first part is spot on. Many schools like the one where I am employed do not subscribe to the state or national standards.
I told my two colleagues that the parent’s question intrigued me, and is one which we as a faculty should explore further. By the looks on their faces, they were not stimulated by the prospect of such a discussion. For me, the mere fact that schools such as those where I am employed consider themselves immune from all outside forces, thus deeming discussions on standards null and void. To this teacher, standards would greatly inform and enhance what it is that we expect students to know and be able to do at BWYA Independent School.
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I sympathize with your colleagues’ thoughts. Not having been there, I obviously don’t know how the parent came across, what the tone of voice was, and whatnot. But that sort of question might often be given in a challenging way, more as “Is this school living up to my expectations of it?” than as “Tell me more about the school, if you would.” The former is a valid question, but it does tend to put people off, and set them on the defensive.
Then, too, I have a lot of skepticism of standardized tests, and “state standards” pull one immediately into the standardized testing arena. And I say that as someone who, as a student, always did fabulously well on those sorts of tests. Part of it was that I was a good student, and I learned well. But part of it was that I tested well, and knew how to use the test format to my advantage. It’s a cliché, but I do think that the tests test how well you take the tests. (The other side of that, of course, is that most of those who’re sharp enough to learn how to ace the tests have probably learned the important stuff as well.
Independent schools need to be able to use independent, innovative teaching. But you’re right that they still have to meet standards, and that the parent’s question isn’t an idle one. It sounds like your colleagues perceived an attack (or maybe were just tired of hearing the question for the 17th time that day, which would lead to a different plan of action).
Barry Leiba - September 30, 2007 at 9:35 am