Standards are important to give us a guideline of what to teach and what skills students are supposed to learn within the year. I am not sure why they are so poorly written. The only explanation that I can think of is maybe administartors are in a rush to make a change and raise test scores. In that rush the standards are not fully thought through. It is interesting that this book is saying that we need to eliminate standards and in a way I agree. There are so many standards and not enough time to adequately teach them. I know I find them overwhelming at times especially when they seem to change often.
Do you see any reason for all of them? Really - The student can understand the author's argument and can respond appropriately - covers a multitude of the current standard verbosity.
It's hard to know why there are so many poorly written standards. I like Schmoker's argument for reducing the sheer number of them and going with those that help provide the most endurance, leverage, and readiness for the next level (pg. 47). I especially like the "leverage" descriptor that calls for identifying the standards that "provide the knowledge and skills that are of value in multiple disciplines." I love his idea (bottom of the same page) for having a staff take a short time period (10-15 minutes) to pare things down and then use an affinity chart. He suggests that not only will this cut down on that "This is impossible!" feeling, but it will likely help staff members to feel like they're not isolated in their feelings of discouragement. He finishes the chapter with some very practical next steps.
I think standards are important because they give us a sense of direction as we plan out our instruction. Too many standards, or vaguely written standards foster a sense of futility and we often react by just creating something that makes sense to us.
I think there is a parallel in the world at large concerning regulations and laws. The saying "unnecessary laws weaken necessary laws" is true. Maybe the same could be said of unnecessary standards as well.
Why so many? Perhaps there is some incentive for educational leaders to come up with excessive standards. We should identify it and change the incentive to result in fewer, more meaningful standards.
I think standards are important to help make sure students are learning what they are supposed to learn. I do think there are way to many standards. We do not need as many as we have. As to why they are poorly written, I don't know why. Too many fingers in the pot maybe?
Trusting our collegues and ourselves when we interpret these imperfect documents is the first step in reducing and making the standards a manageable tool. Using our “common sense and collective judgment” (Schmoker, 46) to determine the best strategy to prepare students.
Standards are important to give us a guideline of what to teach and what skills students are supposed to learn within the year. I am not sure why they are so poorly written. The only explanation that I can think of is maybe administartors are in a rush to make a change and raise test scores. In that rush the standards are not fully thought through. It is interesting that this book is saying that we need to eliminate standards and in a way I agree. There are so many standards and not enough time to adequately teach them. I know I find them overwhelming at times especially when they seem to change often.
ReplyDeleteDo you see any reason for all of them? Really - The student can understand the author's argument and can respond appropriately - covers a multitude of the current standard verbosity.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to know why there are so many poorly written standards. I like Schmoker's argument for reducing the sheer number of them and going with those that help provide the most endurance, leverage, and readiness for the next level (pg. 47). I especially like the "leverage" descriptor that calls for identifying the standards that "provide the knowledge and skills that are of value in multiple disciplines." I love his idea (bottom of the same page) for having a staff take a short time period (10-15 minutes) to pare things down and then use an affinity chart. He suggests that not only will this cut down on that "This is impossible!" feeling, but it will likely help staff members to feel like they're not isolated in their feelings of discouragement. He finishes the chapter with some very practical next steps.
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ReplyDeleteI think standards are important because they give us a sense of direction as we plan out our instruction. Too many standards, or vaguely written standards foster a sense of futility and we often react by just creating something that makes sense to us.
ReplyDeleteI think there is a parallel in the world at large concerning regulations and laws. The saying "unnecessary laws weaken necessary laws" is true. Maybe the same could be said of unnecessary standards as well.
Why so many? Perhaps there is some incentive
for educational leaders to come up with excessive standards. We should identify it and change the incentive to result in fewer, more meaningful standards.
I think standards are important to help make sure students are learning what they are supposed to learn. I do think there are way to many standards. We do not need as many as we have. As to why they are poorly written, I don't know why. Too many fingers in the pot maybe?
ReplyDeleteTrusting our collegues and ourselves when we interpret these imperfect documents is the first step in reducing and making the standards a manageable tool. Using our “common sense and collective judgment” (Schmoker, 46) to determine the best strategy to prepare students.
ReplyDelete