I came upon this post while on Facebook last night (I know, nobody uses Facebook anymore), and I paused to really think about it. Is it an exaggeration? A silly rant written by someone who didn’t do well in school?
Or is there truth in it? If there is truth in it, is it true for all schools? Is it true for CDS?
Before I share my thoughts on the subject, I would really love to hear yours.
Please post your responses below. I will weigh in later in the week. I am really looking forward to hearing your thoughts. I would particularly love to hear from those families who have had children at more than one school.
Sounds like a 17th century British boarding school.
Many schools, even non Montessori, have moved past these negative aspects. The five points mentioned are more akin to a brainwashing of children, as is the case in many third world countries where an ideal is being pushed and agendas are being exercised. Most educational institutions are well beyond this and seek higher ideals. I can speak to private school education in the city as well as the sheer beauty of the Countryside methodology and say with full confidence that the five mentioned points should be altered to say:
1. Truth comes from morally sound agreed-upon principles that have been vetted through experience and investigation. Despite truth being held within this solid framework, truth can also be challenged and opinions are welcomed and encouraged, leading to new truths and conclusions that are neither criticized nor reduced in their quality.
2. Intelligence is the ability to reroute truths and challenge facts in a useful method that fosters knowledge.
3. Accurate memory and repetition are only used to establish a stable foundation for thought and to exercise intelligence.
4. Non compliance is the basis for utilizing intelligence. Questioning and rethinking allows for progressed thinking and furthering of the quest for more truths.
5. Do Not Conform: Intellectually or Socially. Push outside of self imposed boxes and norms, within guidelines of course. Educational institutions provide the very framework for such guidelines and it is the mission of schools to be able to create an environment of intellectual and social nonconformity within these guidelines.
Generally speaking I do believe this to be true. However, I also believe things are slowly changing and change takes time. I also believe that teachers many times have to unfortunately conform to city, state and federal rules and regulations that are imposed i.e. standardized testing. Teachers also have to jump through hoops and take exams as well that further promote what you mention above. It´s a constant evaluation of students and teachers alike, any sort of validation or accomplishment is based on whether or not results meet or exceed standards. Standards which are usually set by people outside of a classroom or educational field.
Unless you are at a private independent or montessori school, these are the dire realities many public school students and teachers face. Teaching is a passion and a joy but what passion and joy can be left when you are constantly being asked to prove to someone, in a state office, that your students are able to memorize and recite information you have given them? How can a teacher feel empowered if their skills and abilities are constantly being questioned as well? A change needs to happen from the bottom up not the top down.
We are our children´s first teachers and role models. Whether we realize it or not we are constantly modeling actions and attitudes directly and indirectly to them. How can our children have a positive attitude towards school and learning if we don´t?
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