"School Reform" = 60 1st-graders in one room. "Perhaps we've confused innovation with insanity"

[Hannah Bell]

When I saw this item in the paper this morning, I thought it was a joke.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/11/education/11class.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion

A tongue in cheek commentary on education innovation. And then I had another sip of my coffee and realized this is no joke...some (Pardon me.) ass clown (He may be a lovely person, but c'mon!!!) thought it was a great idea to stick 60 small children in one classroom with four teachers.

I mean, WHAT?! Not only does the idea of 60 first graders running rampant in a 2,000 square foot classroom make me want to poke myself in the eye, it kind of makes me angry. Because OF COURSE this "little experiment" is taking place in a low-income neighborhood with a high population of children with physical, emotional and learning issues. OF COURSE IT IS. You know, because those are totally the kids who have a year or two to spare in their learning.

I think this little friend, who was quoted in the article, summed it up best when she said,

"We don't know what we are supposed to be doing, but we are learning about math."

Girlfriend doesn't know what to do because her poor teacher is running around like a chicken with it's head cut off just trying to keep order, much less do any actual instructing. Do you just want to run to this school, scoop this child up and teach her how to tell time?? (And maybe hand the teacher a big old drink?)

What is the logic behind this insanity?

Evidently, Mr. Waronker (I'm envisioning suit guy with a power tie...maybe a clip board...) says his "inspiration" (How can I NOT put it in air quotes?) was an elite boarding high school in New Hampshire where students work collaboratively in small classes.

Um, how did we get from an elite group of high school students working in small groups to a whole shitload of primary grade children in a high poverty neighborhood running around all Lord of the Flies style?

"Across the room, a second teacher, Jennifer McSorley, successfully led the class’s weakest students in a counting rhyme. But when she leaned forward out of her chair to write a word on an easel, a 6-year-old boy moved it, and she fell when she tried to sit back down. “Jahmeer, sit down,” Ms. McSorley demanded, unharmed but flustered. “I could have hurt myself very badly.” Then another boy ran off to hide under an easel."


The reporter says that there have been some improvements since September. For example, one student chose to play with pencils rather than do his work but at least this time he was in his seat. Are we thinking hooray for small victories or holy shit, it's January and this is what we're calling progress????

http://itsnotallflowersandsausages.blogspot.com/2011/01/perhaps-weve-confused-innovation-with.html


"Mr. Waronker, a former US Army Intelligence officer" is molding future recruits for the unending american war on the world.

[old mark]

1. I started my college career as an Ed major, in 1965 - there were many "experiments" then, and

and ever since then and I can not recall any of them being a real improvement for the kids.

This one is really idiotic. Thanks for the post.

K&R

mark

[dkf]

2. 4 teachers to 60 students is not bad for a student to teacher ratio.

This is how my elementary school worked except they partitioned it into 2 classrooms.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dkf]

6. My point is it's not a budget thing.

It's a choice. And it could be partitioned if needed.

[maryf]

4. they only need to be trained

to be good workers, for military or service industry; shouldn't this be preparing them better for that? (do I really need to? yep :sarcasm: )
k&r, and thanks for your continued advocacy for education, educators, and the kids.

[erodriguez]

5. This experiment would never have happened in a white middle class neighborhood.

[MadHound]

8. Wrong, it has already happened

Ninety kids, in an oversized classroom, with three teachers. Happened over thirty years ago in my junior high. White middle class neighborhood.

This was stupid then, it is stupid now, but there is no need to play the race card in order to point out its stupidity.

[WinkyDink]

7. More tales from the dark-side.