kitchen table math, the sequel: Different Drummers

Friday, June 1, 2007

Different Drummers

I’ve seen the "Different Drummers" report, published by Public Agenda, cited so many times I finally ordered it:

“...[P]rofessors of education have a distinctive, perhaps even singular, prescription for what good teachers should do — one that differs markedly from that of most parents and taxpayers. To a surprising extent, the professors’ views also differ from those of most classroom teachers.... [W]hat the professors say about education and teaching, and about children and learning, is important—arguably even obligatory—reading for anyone aiming to improve America’s schools.”


Chart 1:
Qualities that are “absolutely essential” to impart to prospective teachers”:

Being life-long learners and constantly updating their skills: 84%
Being committed to teaching kids to be active learners who know how to learn: 82%
Having high expectations of all their students: 72%
Maintaining discipline and order in the classroom: 37%
Stressing correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation: 19%
Expecting students to be neat, on time, and polite: 12%

Looks like it’s going to be interesting — more later.


Different Drummers: How Teachers of Teachers View Public Education

Different Drummers
the struggle
gifted children and ed schools
constructivism and classroom discipline

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Stressing correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation: 19%

Wow. Gap alert.

Well, at least everyone knows ahead of time.

Catherine Johnson said...

Gap alert!

Yes!!

Plus I'm sure the gap has to be moving "down" to teachers.

This report is something else.

momof4 said...

In the unenlightened dinosaur era of the early 50s; discipline, order, neatness, punctuality and politeness were absolutely demanded and enforced, with rulers and yardsticks if necessary. Self-control was an absolute virtue. I don't ever remember hearing anyone - parent, teacher or principal - even mentioning self-esteem. Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation was expected - and corrected - on all work. Those are a lot higher expectations than seems to be the norm today.