Equity of outcomes is important, but there is concern over the long-term effect of "No Child Left Behind".
What behaviors is it creating across the system, and what must be done to address this?
What data can we review to drive this analysis?
Definition of equity:'helping each child reach full potential' "Equity: the right of every person to have access to the resources and support necessary to become a critical-thinking citizen." "equitable is not equal or same, but fair access to opportunity, information and experience"
barrier- de-facto segregation as result of choice, charter and voucher programs—
Supporting evidence current segregation Kozol- NY Times review of Shame of the Nation (2007). http://nyti.ms/cEVu58
Power differentials- student/teacher- teacher can 'fail' student on daily/term basis; students as groups fail teachers and schools- NCLB rules strengthen this oppositional force (jenna)
Our current education problems have been decades in the making.
Healthy complex orgs: have trust, workers who feel they can make a diff & crystal clear goals
the education ecosys is like a giant ship, it does not change direction quickly or easily. This is implicit in the definition of any ecosystem. The system evolves over time, but evolution is discontinuous. Most change is incremental, but events can and do precipitate large systemic change.
taking friction out to give teachers time to do their jobs- aligning cultural values, aligning motivators/attractors .. making ecosystem better. Ok. But still not precise enuff. What are mechanisms? Must keep in mind that improving the system requires that we recognize the impact of changing one component on all the others.
Citizens as goal of edu; changes in workforce so different skills needed. Also, a distinct need for a stronger, more stable platform of basic skills - like the ability to think critically.
precisely what, when and why stops Trust from developing in different variations of dif #ecosys ? Excellent question. Seems to me that building trust is a change driver.
Only w/ balance or neutrality is collaboration, learning & creativity possible
When so many are responsible for results w/out authority to shape #ecosys and a few are held accountable 4 result = lack of trust
Culture/ Worldview- further framing
Culture: behaviors embraced by a group of people driven by unspoken or spoken norms. I've done some digging: http://bit.ly/povCL
Worldview http://bit.ly/9Qv61O
"including power structures, social survival instincts & cultural barriers, as filters that reinforce status quo" via Chris
when power exists in a framework of agreed upon rules everything gets in sync in the service of clear goal- via Michael
NCLB is based on inequitable foundation- standards and tests biased, targets not developmentally sound. (need resources)
Federal DOE
State Departments of Education