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Again, I thought we had a very interesting discussion and quickly got a handle on some of the key issues in the Tucker/Codding approach. The discussion addressed a number of issues related to Tucker/Codding's position on standards. In particular, questions were raised about the extent to which they were advocating standards from a societal or macro perspective (e.g. raising standards will create a more productive workforce and a more competitive economy) or from an individual perspective (e.g. raising standards will help ensure that every student has opportunities to get the kinds of jobs they want or need). Other issues concerned whether the kinds of performances they talked about (Pasadena's improvements, the performances of other country's etc.) could really be attributed to the existence or imposition of standards; the contradictions around their arguments for clear, consistent standards, and their suggestions that standards can be developed locally (as long as they conform to their standards for standards); the extent to which they have a theory of learning that goes beyond a superficial view of motivation. In the end, while raising standards, producing assessments and aligning curriculum makes sense as an improvement strategy, I'm left wondering how they will really work Ð is it simply that they provide a target and a system of feedback? Or could high standards really motivate students and teachers to perform at higher levels? Ð and why ultimately this would be a good idea Ð for the economy, equity, individual opportunity?
See the Teaching and Learning Chart we created.
For this week, it will be interesting to see to what extent other standards-based approaches and organizations share similar theories and assumptions. As we discussed in class, please continue to work on your projects but also take an hour or two to look at one of the sites and come prepared to describe the organization or project and how its approach to standards compares to the Tucker/Codding approach or how the approach compares to others we've discussed this quarter. What can we take away or learn from these approaches? What are the implications for our own approaches to teaching and learning?
Topics to be addressed next week:
Achieve Ð Chris and Julie
High Schools That Work Ð Jon
High Performance Learning Communities Ð Kristy and Stevie
State of California's approach to standards and assessment Ð Cat
Proposal for voluntary national tests -- Carol
Please note that no reflection is required for this week.
c. 2000, Thomas Hatch, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. All the material contained on this site has been produced by Thomas Hatch or other authors as noted. These materials can be downloaded, printed, and used with proper acknowledgement, including the name and affiliation of the author and the web-site address.
