I think there are a lot
of problems with education policy in America.
This blog post talks about how children are meant to explore the world
around them – the world that is inherently good and beautiful:
“We believe it’s good for our kids to learn about animals,
plants, rivers, etc. because those things have intrinsic value and because they
reflect the goodness of their creator. With this view, learning becomes not
just a means to an end but an act of praise in itself.” *
Everybody, Catholic or not, can and should appreciate the
world and everything it has to offer. It’s
a shame that education policy in America doesn’t encourage or even allow
this.
But that’s not the only thing I find seriously troubling
about education policy.
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One of the little boys
in my morning program loves nature.
Loves it. He’s brought me over to
the edge of the playground to look at the trees because they all have trunks
that look different. In the winter, he
and I sat looking out the window, mesmerized by the sun rising behind the bare
tree branches. When we talk about movie
options, he suggests Planet Earth. His
love for nature includes nasty things, though.
Like spiders. I hate spiders, but
he loves them and gave me a lesson on different kinds of spiders.
“Isn’t it cool how
there are so many kinds of spiders?
Everyone will find at least one that
they like.”
I like the
sentiment. Because you know what? He’s probably right. After arguing with him about how gross they
are, I finally admitted that a spider that kills mosquitoes is cool with me, so
long as it isn’t crawling anywhere near me.
This kid would love
nothing more than to stay outside all day and learn about the things around
him. But he can’t do that. Because it’s the end of the school year, and
there are a lot of standardized tests to take.
And a few months earlier, it was the middle of the year, and so there
were a lot of standardized tests to take.
I’m not suggesting that
we dump all tests and let kids wander all day, every day. (Although that would be a lot of fun.)
But I do think we need
to radically change education in America, because
talents and passions are like spiders; everyone will find at least one that they like, one thing they’re
great at doing. But, when kids are
being taught from mundane (and misguiding) textbooks written by corporations,
they’re not exploring their surroundings.
They’re not testing out their skills.
When they’re constantly taking tests or memorizing how to take tests,
they’re not working towards figuring out what their talents are or what they
are passionate about.
A while ago, the kids
were telling me about their science lessons.
One of the eight year olds who is normally disinterested in school was
super excited about the experiments they were doing in class. But after a few days, they needed to stop all
experiments to prepare for state tests. “I
don’t think my teacher wants to, but we have to because we need to pass the
tests.”
This kid, who really
doesn’t like school, needed to stop learning about the one thing he did enjoy because of a standardized test that doesn’t
measure intelligence, creativity, or personality. Obviously, school can’t be a place where kids
just learn about one thing for twelve years.
They need to learn science and math and English and social studies. But they should have ample time to explore
their interests. And when they do find
something that drives them, they should be able to pursue it.
And teachers, not
tests, are the ones that recognize each child’s talents and passions. Teachers and parents are able to measure a
child’s progress. A multiple choice test
will never be able to do that.
I firmly believe that
each person has a God-given talent or calling.
And an education system so focused on churning numbers and keeping their
eyes on the future workforce and profits does nothing to honor those gifts.
That kind of education system ignores the fact that every person is
unique and special. (Sound corny? Yes.
But true.)
One of the girls in our
program was stressing out about her tests.
My coworker and I tried to explain to her that it wasn’t important in
the long run. Her greatest gifts are her
confidence and her sense of humor. God made
this girl funny and naturally welcoming.
I can easily see her hosting her own TV show in twenty years. She’d give Ellen DeGeneres or Jimmy Fallon a
run for their money. It’s what she’s
good at, it’s how she can positively affect the world, and it’s what she
enjoys. And no test can reveal that.
Not everyone is going
to have a talent or a passion that will translate into a job after
graduation. And that’s fine. Sometimes, a person’s gift is going to be the
ability to put smiles on the faces of everyone they meet. School can’t really develop that gift, but it
can still be a vehicle of good, and it can still be a place where wonder and imagination
and curiosity are the goals every day.
And while I think
encouraging everyone to develop and share their talents with the world is also
an act of praise, as these gifts are God-given, I know my friends who don’t
believe in God or who don’t practice religion would agree that each individual is
special and has something to offer the world, and that education is one of the
ways to make that happen.
If we were more mindful
when crafting education policy, I really believe each person could find their
calling. If we designed schools to be architecturally
beautiful, I think students would be inspired to learn. If we made sure every school had a plethora
of good teachers, every student would have a mentor to encourage them in their
endeavors. (Which also means it is
essential for teachers to be well paid and respected by society.) If schools were community focused, students
could find avenues to share their passions.
If education policy wasn’t determined by corporate interest, I think we’d
find the time to make school a place where kids could explore, learn, and
grow. If it were up to me, corporations
and their textbooks and tests would have no place in policy, and instead there
would be teachers and parents from all kinds of communities making the
policies. Kids are little people, and
tests can’t measure them, only other people whose lives they touch can do
that.
*The article I linked to was from Daniel Bearman - Acts of Idiot Praise. I'm not speaking for the author here, and I'm not sure what he thinks of tests or corporations or policies regarding teachers. I included his post because I agree with him and think that a longing to learn about the world ought to be part of education policy.
Charlotte
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