As a former teacher, I can’t help but see a strong correlation between SpringBoard, Hillsborough County’s controversial, hands-on, interactive math and language arts curriculum program, and the availability of $30 million in federal grants to pay for it.
Always sensitive to criticism about being boring or irrelevant, the education establishment has often dabbled in gimmickry in the name of creativity and relevance.
To wit, it’s no surprise that the teaching of “Into the Wild” on iTunes, for example, would be better received by students than a traditional reading of “The Great Gatsby.” Or that that no hue and cry ensued when the reading and discussion of John Knowles’ “A Separate Peace” was replaced by a SpringBoard unit on the Cinderella theme that featured the movie “Ever After” with Drew Barrymore.
As might be expected, a number of students like it more. But what does that prove? That pandering works? That easy is more popular than challenging?
In general, contemporary literature has replaced many classics.
Here are two quotes that speak volumes:
“If you can read, you can read the classics on your own.” – Alice Wuckovich, SpringBoard language arts coordinator in Hillsborough.
“The reason they are called classic is because they have meaning across cultures and across time.” – Joyce VanTassle-Baska, executive director for the Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary.
The real bottom line – not the one with federal-grant underwriting – remains as fundamental and basic as it’s always been. Good teachers equal good, relevant teaching — and the best chance for real learning. Good teachers will always incorporate discipline, common sense, creativity, relevance – and a sense of humor. They can adapt technology without a heavy-handed, government-subsidized mandate. It’s what good teachers do.
There are just not enough of them.
Get rid of tenure. That’s a whole separate issue — but hardly unrelated.
Next, if money can be made available for more film clips and popular music, maybe it can be made available for teacher salaries. Yes, those are separate pots, but something tells me an Obama administration, properly approached, would be receptive to alternatives to government-subsidized, off-the-rack, curriculum elixirs.
The need has never been more acute to attract those who understand that they are the conduits of the culture – not the enablers of its popular form. To attract those who won’t need gimmicks – but will need the support of administrators who know the difference between relevant and popular.
Ironically, the best teachers are both. Always have been.