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Blogging With Fidelity
By Lerone D. Wilson | March 25, 2007
I recently had one of my blog entries from last year entitled ‘Shoot for the Moon‘ printed in the Detroit Free Press as an Opinion/Editorial. One of the reasons I got involved with the No Child Left Behind issue to begin with was that there was an enormous group of people affected by the program (the teachers) who seemingly had no say in the development of the program, and who’s voices weren’t reflected in the following discourse. Thus, whenever I have something published, aired, or give a talk on the No Child Left Behind issue I always have a chance to hear back from teachers who are happy to see their concerns voiced in public. The following is one of such responses that I found especially entertaining [names and places have been removed for privacy]:
Dear Lerone,
I read with interest the editorial you had written and placed in the Detroit Free Press. I couldn’t agree with you more!
I have taught special education for 27 years in the —— Schools all in an elementary setting. I have seen major changes in my years as a teacher. This year, our new superintendent had put in place his “vision” for our school district. It requires all teachers to “teach with fidelity” the reading series he chose. I am now told when to go to the classes I service and pull out my students and to work “with fidelity” on an intervention program from the reading series. I’m not seeing any major gains in their reading skills. It takes me a good 5 min to walk my students down and get them settled to start on our skills because my students don’t want to be there. They hate the books they are reading but I still have to have them read it. The programs we had in place that were successful, we were told not to use them. My special ed students in past years were in a full inclusion program. I worked right in the room with my students and teachers. Nobody ever knew I was a special ed teacher. This year, it is more obvious with the pull out programs.
I have seen the creativity disappear in lesson plans as well as students. There is too much testing. I have often said “I wouldn’t want to be a student today!” There is no fun reason to come to school - not when you’re tested every month. In our state, we’re looking for the fine arts dept at school to disappear since it isn’t reading, writing, or math tested! They’ve placed higher demands on our High School students - no time left for band, choir etc.
Keep on writing and producing! I appreciate your support.
You’re right on the money regarding NCLB.
Sincerely,
—— ——
I don’t know how to fix NCLB, and I probably won’t ever try. My goal however has been to promote open and honest discussion regarding the issue. There are, and have been many teachers ‘teaching with fidelity’ for many years. However if we can start legislating with fidelity we will all be better for it. Until then, all I can hope to do is blog with fidelity.
…and here I am.
Topics: Media/Politics |