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