As this common core and high stakes testing war comes to a
head I am watching lots of folks trying to mediate and ask folks to be
reasonable. They want to talk about all the harm that could come to our schools
should we refuse these tests or refuse test prep common core curriculum. When I
hear this my hair stands on end. Number one. Don't flipping tell me to be
reasonable. Don't insult me - as a professional - my first job is to do NO
HARM. THAT IS REASONABLE. Two. Speaking of harm - what harm do you think is
going to come to our communities? Our children? Let's see, they've stripped our
schools of all funding for small class size, librarians, nurses, counselors,
art, music programs, sports programs, REAL teachers, books, building repairs,
classroom supplies and more. They've stripped our schools of democracy. They've
stripped our schools of trust, and respect and safety - there is NOTHING safe
for children in a high stakes environment. Countless communities have been
destroyed and children no longer can go to their neighborhood schools. THEY
REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE POVERTY AND FEED OUR CHILDREN TESTS INSTEAD. So tell me
again - hurt our schools? How?? Be careful around these reasonable folks who
want you to adhere to mandates in order to avoid "hurting" your
schools - they have something personal to gain or they are simply sheeple. Our
schools and our children are already hurt. We are attempting to educate in war
tents with damaged communities, children, teachers and buildings. Quite
honestly, the way many folks act now in the public schools is the way folks who
have been mentally or physically abused act. Folks have been so beaten down
that they are hanging on by a thread. So - you - out there - who have the
audacity to tell us to stop our acts of civil disobedience in order to stop
"hurting" our schools - we know your game and we know where you
stand. On the wrong side of history. Get out of our way.
"Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation...Want rain without thunder and lightening. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will." --Frederick Douglass
ReplyDeleteLove this raw and authentic post. Anger can be a useful tool; sharing the truth through words is essential and opting out is the "megaphone" of this truth.
You speak the truth well. Thank you.
ReplyDelete