RE: flexibility in schools (was: Ethics in a void)

From: denis bider (denis.bider@globera.com)
Date: Fri Jan 26 2001 - 12:32:16 MST


Chris Russo writes:

> Notice that you started out blaming the system and forced curriculum,
> but then admitted that the problem is more directly associated with
> poor teachers.

Hmm, yes, I did. [Response below]

> Not that I'm completely against more flexibility in
> determining your own curriculum, but how would it solve
> the problem of having poor teachers?
>
> Shouldn't the first priority be to improve the quality of our
> teachers?

Actually, I'm not sure how we can significantly improve the quality of
teachers without improving the system. I would think that many bad teachers
are bad partially also because the system makes it difficult for them to be
good; so they gave up trying.

I do agree that everything would be great if all teachers were 100% perfect.
If all teachers were interesting, motivating, knowledgeable, and fair, a
strict curriculum would be less of a problem. But I don't see how to switch
to manufacturing all great teachers without changing the system - seeing
that the system *is* what manufactures bad teachers right now.

So, I think the system is the core of the problem. [At least in our country,
which doesn't necessarily mean anything for the USA.]

I will not claim that I have a recipe on how to make it better though. But I
think at least someone should try.

Regards,

denis



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