Chapters 1 - 2
Wagner (2008) argues that students in America are not being prepared to be global citizens through our education system. There is too much emphasis placed on content and testing due to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law that was passed in 2002 (Elementary and Secondary Education Act, n.d.). Not enough emphasis is placed on critical thinking, problem solving and collaborating in American schools. Wagner describes his experience in walking through classrooms from elementary school through high school and the disappointment he felt in the learning that occurred. Wagner proposes a new set of skills that should be emphasized in schools. To summarize these skills, they include critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, communication, creativity and curiosity. Wagner differentiates between the achievement gap we see between high performing students and low performing students and the global achievement gap we see between our high performing students and the expectations for students to survive in our global community (Wagner, 2008).
While Wagner makes many valid points about our education system needing improvement, his tone is harsh and highly critical of teachers. As he described his experiences walking through classrooms, his viewpoint was colored with negativity and sarcasm. Wagner (2008) states “First, we will not visit the stereotypical urban high schools - which we know have been failing to educate students for years” (p. 48). Failing to educate students? I think any teacher that works at an urban high school deserves a lot of praise, not to be told they are failing to educate students. The state of our education system is mostly due to politics and law, not lack of teacher effort. Teachers go into the profession to make a difference and support students as they grow. To criticize teachers on their teaching is similar to criticizing students on their work. Teachers and students are doing the best they can with the limitations that have been placed on them. Teachers have not been encouraged to work on critical thinking skills in the past because they are not expected for standardized tests. Wagner (2008) admits “The proliferation of content standards actually makes it much more difficult for teachers to focus on inquiry and analysis and even writing” (p.64). Are standardized tests the only thing teachers need to teach about? No. However, that was the undercurrent running through most schools when test scores were so vitally important. Therefore, Wagner’s portrayal of teachers and their lack of creativity in their lesson plans is unfair.
As a leader, I believe it is important to know your teachers, their strong attributes and the areas in which they need support. Wagner participated in many learning walks through classrooms with other educational leaders. Wagner (2008) states “They discovered that their principals could usually name their weakest teachers, but they had little to say about what they had done or might do to help their teachers become more effective” (p.66). He goes on to say that principals also knew which were their strongest teachers, but also didn’t know how to support them. This can be a huge downfall of a school site. If leaders do not know how to support their staff and help them improve or challenge them to be better, teachers will not be motivated to change. Wagner points out that leaders need to know what good teaching looks like and help teachers continuously try to improve. This is critical for leaders to work on and it’s something that I value in leaders I have seen. Challenging teachers can be uncomfortable for leaders, but it is necessary and will lead to more success in the classroom. Wagner’s tone throughout the first two chapters is critical of teachers, but principals and other school leaders need to be available to help support teachers to promote learning and advancement in the classroom.
Resources
Elementary and Secondary Education Act. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2015, from
http://www.ed.gov/esea
Wagner, T. (2008). The global achievement gap. Why even our best schools don't teach the
new survival skills our children need - and what we can do about it. New York, New
York: Basic Books.
Wagner (2008) argues that students in America are not being prepared to be global citizens through our education system. There is too much emphasis placed on content and testing due to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law that was passed in 2002 (Elementary and Secondary Education Act, n.d.). Not enough emphasis is placed on critical thinking, problem solving and collaborating in American schools. Wagner describes his experience in walking through classrooms from elementary school through high school and the disappointment he felt in the learning that occurred. Wagner proposes a new set of skills that should be emphasized in schools. To summarize these skills, they include critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, communication, creativity and curiosity. Wagner differentiates between the achievement gap we see between high performing students and low performing students and the global achievement gap we see between our high performing students and the expectations for students to survive in our global community (Wagner, 2008).
While Wagner makes many valid points about our education system needing improvement, his tone is harsh and highly critical of teachers. As he described his experiences walking through classrooms, his viewpoint was colored with negativity and sarcasm. Wagner (2008) states “First, we will not visit the stereotypical urban high schools - which we know have been failing to educate students for years” (p. 48). Failing to educate students? I think any teacher that works at an urban high school deserves a lot of praise, not to be told they are failing to educate students. The state of our education system is mostly due to politics and law, not lack of teacher effort. Teachers go into the profession to make a difference and support students as they grow. To criticize teachers on their teaching is similar to criticizing students on their work. Teachers and students are doing the best they can with the limitations that have been placed on them. Teachers have not been encouraged to work on critical thinking skills in the past because they are not expected for standardized tests. Wagner (2008) admits “The proliferation of content standards actually makes it much more difficult for teachers to focus on inquiry and analysis and even writing” (p.64). Are standardized tests the only thing teachers need to teach about? No. However, that was the undercurrent running through most schools when test scores were so vitally important. Therefore, Wagner’s portrayal of teachers and their lack of creativity in their lesson plans is unfair.
As a leader, I believe it is important to know your teachers, their strong attributes and the areas in which they need support. Wagner participated in many learning walks through classrooms with other educational leaders. Wagner (2008) states “They discovered that their principals could usually name their weakest teachers, but they had little to say about what they had done or might do to help their teachers become more effective” (p.66). He goes on to say that principals also knew which were their strongest teachers, but also didn’t know how to support them. This can be a huge downfall of a school site. If leaders do not know how to support their staff and help them improve or challenge them to be better, teachers will not be motivated to change. Wagner points out that leaders need to know what good teaching looks like and help teachers continuously try to improve. This is critical for leaders to work on and it’s something that I value in leaders I have seen. Challenging teachers can be uncomfortable for leaders, but it is necessary and will lead to more success in the classroom. Wagner’s tone throughout the first two chapters is critical of teachers, but principals and other school leaders need to be available to help support teachers to promote learning and advancement in the classroom.
Resources
Elementary and Secondary Education Act. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2015, from
http://www.ed.gov/esea
Wagner, T. (2008). The global achievement gap. Why even our best schools don't teach the
new survival skills our children need - and what we can do about it. New York, New
York: Basic Books.
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