In Chapter 3, Wagner presents a few test questions from state tests and asks the reader to consider the questions. Although Wagner sees issues with the questions, he agrees that accountability for schools and districts important. However, he argues it is a flawed system, with issues such as requiring an 100 pass rates, punishing schools that do not achieve the strenuous expectations in place, a lack of assistance for struggling schools, the variability of requirements between states and vague definitions. The effectiveness of teaching to the test, Wagner argues, depends on how good the test is. He points out the common held belief that employers have high expectations of knowledge of mathematics. However, when employers actually list their ten most important qualifications for hiring, math knowledge is not among the list. Rather, it is the whole package that matters, including problem solving, but traditional math and science courses are not adequately developing problem solving. All of these are issues and points that Wagner hopes the education system can take into account and ready students for the 21st century world.
I agree with Wagner that schools should be held accountable. Also, I agree that much of the issue is not so much having some form of testing as determining what the test should be testing for. In my case, it is quite possible I took the actual test and answered the very questions Wagner includes in his book from the TAKS test. I went to high school in Texas and was in 11th grade in 2006. I remember taking the TAKS test. As someone who went to school during No Child Left Behind, I have a few comments. When I was in school, I remember hearing teachers talk about No Child Left Behind, quite often, usually negatively. However, as a student, I do not think I ever thought anything about it. When I was in high school, it just felt like high school to me. One thing looking back, though, was that I thought that the ability to use critical thinking and know how to find an answer, was more important than actually knowing the answer, which seemed to often be the emphasis. I remember thinking that whether or not you could repeat an answer was more of a memorization thing than an ability thing. Overall, I agree with Wagner's take, though, I am not sure the exact solutions to the issues he presents as they are complex and have been issues for some time.
In Chapter 4, Wagner discusses teacher education at length and includes many stories about teachers and administrators both experienced and inexperienced. He points out the differences in many people's ideas and mindsets. Many teachers in the past felt a lack of support, while other teachers are resistant to any type of change. Wagner details the story, for example of his own student teaching experience where he felt he was not given much guidance.
Although I am not that qualified to design a teaching program at this early point in my career, one thing I think is important to take into account in education programs, and education in general, is that people are different. This includes not only the students, but also the teachers. One of the common and consistent themes I see in many of the readings and discussions I hear about education is the frustration when "everyone" is not on board with something. I think teachers are like everyone else, they have different ideas, philosophies and ways of doing things. There are certainly areas where educators need to follow, such as school policies, safety procedures, etc. However, I think if a teacher is genuinely trying to teach well, that is one of the most important things more than if they adopt certain philosophies. It is pointed out often that education trends change quite often, and in that sense, teachers may come to a specific movement that fits for them, and the next one might not. I think those teachers should be able to teach the way that works best for them as long as they are professional and are giving it their best. This would apply to teacher education as well, the realization that not all the teachers graduating will teach the same way.
I agree with Wagner that schools should be held accountable. Also, I agree that much of the issue is not so much having some form of testing as determining what the test should be testing for. In my case, it is quite possible I took the actual test and answered the very questions Wagner includes in his book from the TAKS test. I went to high school in Texas and was in 11th grade in 2006. I remember taking the TAKS test. As someone who went to school during No Child Left Behind, I have a few comments. When I was in school, I remember hearing teachers talk about No Child Left Behind, quite often, usually negatively. However, as a student, I do not think I ever thought anything about it. When I was in high school, it just felt like high school to me. One thing looking back, though, was that I thought that the ability to use critical thinking and know how to find an answer, was more important than actually knowing the answer, which seemed to often be the emphasis. I remember thinking that whether or not you could repeat an answer was more of a memorization thing than an ability thing. Overall, I agree with Wagner's take, though, I am not sure the exact solutions to the issues he presents as they are complex and have been issues for some time.
In Chapter 4, Wagner discusses teacher education at length and includes many stories about teachers and administrators both experienced and inexperienced. He points out the differences in many people's ideas and mindsets. Many teachers in the past felt a lack of support, while other teachers are resistant to any type of change. Wagner details the story, for example of his own student teaching experience where he felt he was not given much guidance.
Although I am not that qualified to design a teaching program at this early point in my career, one thing I think is important to take into account in education programs, and education in general, is that people are different. This includes not only the students, but also the teachers. One of the common and consistent themes I see in many of the readings and discussions I hear about education is the frustration when "everyone" is not on board with something. I think teachers are like everyone else, they have different ideas, philosophies and ways of doing things. There are certainly areas where educators need to follow, such as school policies, safety procedures, etc. However, I think if a teacher is genuinely trying to teach well, that is one of the most important things more than if they adopt certain philosophies. It is pointed out often that education trends change quite often, and in that sense, teachers may come to a specific movement that fits for them, and the next one might not. I think those teachers should be able to teach the way that works best for them as long as they are professional and are giving it their best. This would apply to teacher education as well, the realization that not all the teachers graduating will teach the same way.