Educational Courage

1. The Ambush of Public Education: Market-Driven Policies Undermine Democratic Ideals

"We are never freer as teachers and students, citizens, residents, activists, and thinkers than when we refuse to see the situation or the world before us as the absolute end of the matter."

Neoliberal agenda threatens public education. Market-driven policies, promoted by corporate interests and politicians, are reshaping public education in ways that undermine democratic ideals and equal opportunity. These policies include:

• High-stakes standardized testing
• Charter school expansion
• Voucher programs
• Merit pay for teachers based on test scores
• Mayoral control of school districts

Consequences are far-reaching. This shift towards a business model of education has serious negative impacts:

• Narrowing of curriculum to focus on tested subjects
• Increased segregation and inequality
• Demoralization of teachers and students
• Loss of local control over schools
• Privatization of public education resources

2. High-Stakes Testing: Narrowing Curriculum and Stifling Creativity

"Fourth-grade nervous breakdowns should never occur. She cries to be able just to be a kid."

Testing dominates school life. The emphasis on high-stakes standardized tests has dramatically altered the educational experience for students and teachers:

• Curriculum narrowed to focus on tested subjects (math and reading)
• Increased test preparation and practice testing
• Reduction or elimination of subjects like art, music, and social studies
• Teaching to the test rather than for understanding

Negative impacts on students. The testing regime takes a toll on students' well-being and learning:

• Increased stress and anxiety, even for young children
• Loss of creativity and love of learning
• Unfair judgments based on a single measure
• Particularly harmful for English language learners and students with disabilities

3. Teacher Resistance: Courageous Educators Stand Up for Students

"No job is worth having if it comes at the price of checking your beliefs at the door. If teachers are not willing to stand up for their students, who will?"

Individual acts of courage. Many teachers have taken brave stands against harmful policies:

• Refusing to administer standardized tests
• Speaking out publicly against detrimental practices
• Resigning in protest over unethical mandates

Collective action. Teachers have also organized to resist damaging reforms:

• Forming groups like "The Curie 12" to protest testing
• Working within unions to push for social justice unionism
• Building coalitions with parents and community members

4. Working in the Cracks: Creative Ways to Teach Authentically

"We discovered that the more we pushed on the edges of the cracks, the wider we could make them."

Finding space for meaningful education. Despite constraints, many educators find ways to provide rich learning experiences:

• Integrating social justice themes into test preparation
• Using project-based learning to cover standards creatively
• Prioritizing students' emotional and social needs

Supportive leadership is crucial. Principals who act as buffers against testing pressures create more opportunities for authentic teaching:

• Allowing flexibility in curriculum and instruction
• Supporting professional development in meaningful assessment
• Prioritizing whole-child education over test scores

5. Parent and Community Organizing: Grassroots Efforts to Reclaim Schools

"Parents are the final line of defense against harmful educational policy. Parents have the right and responsibility to protect their children from irresponsible, invalid, unproven practice."

Parents as powerful advocates. Organized parents have successfully challenged harmful policies:

• Opting children out of standardized tests
• Fighting school closures and privatization
• Demanding more equitable school policies

Building coalitions. Effective organizing often involves bringing diverse groups together:

• Parents partnering with teachers and unions
• Connecting education issues to broader community concerns
• Using creative tactics like street theater and social media campaigns

6. The Power of Saying No: Individual and Collective Acts of Refusal

"Resistance on the part of parents is never futile. In fact, just saying no is the only sure thing. What if they gave a test and nobody came?"

Personal refusal as protest. Individual acts of saying "no" can be powerful:

• Teachers refusing to administer tests or implement harmful policies
• Parents opting children out of testing
• Students protesting unfair practices

Organized resistance. Collective refusal amplifies impact:

• Teacher groups refusing to give tests or implement policies
• Parent organizations coordinating opt-out campaigns
• Student walkouts and protests

7. Envisioning Better Schools: Meaningful Assessment and Democratic Education

"We want them to have what we would want for our own children: teachers who are professionals and scholars, learning as well as teaching; a rich curriculum that integrates learning across the disciplines; social studies, science, the arts, and social and emotional learning."

Authentic assessment. Alternatives to high-stakes testing exist:

• Performance-based assessments
• Student portfolios
• Teacher-created assessments aligned with curriculum

Democratic education. A vision for public schools that serve all students:

• Curriculum that reflects diverse experiences and cultures
• Student and community involvement in decision-making
• Focus on developing critical thinking and civic engagement
• Equitable funding and resources for all schools

Long-term perspective. Changing education requires persistence:

• Building coalitions for sustained advocacy
• Developing alternative models within current system
• Continuing to articulate a positive vision for public education

Last updated: August 4, 2024