This is interesting and thought-provoking. I see your point that teachers have no more right to immunity from criticism and evaluation (the term I prefer over the loaded “accountability”). However, I wonder if you’re missing the larger point.

Many factors go into the current educational crisis — if you accept the argument that there is one. (Personally, I think it’s a little overblown.) Teachers are usually made the convenient scapegoat — a distraction from dealing with real societal issues like poverty, joblessness, multiculturalism, and federal and state educational policies, all of which contribute to school problems.

Teaching is NOT the same as producing a widget — however much our so-called leaders may think it is (put more pressure on the teachers, and they’ll turn out better widgets…). Or writing a newspaper article: You are directly responsible for the words you put in print. A student’s academic “performance” is a result of the student’s own qualities, her family, her society, her environment, and also, yes, her teacher.

Worse than just distracting us, the “accountability” red herring has actually dumbed down education by instilling this mechanistic view (teachers/widgets) — “education” as an endless series of tests and statistics. Real teaching is being sacrificed in the process. As the HC article makes clear, teachers are demoralized by this.

–Fred–

I guess “swallow the bile” and move on is a good way to lead your professional life. And I think the 50% figure you cite is accurate for the newspaper business as well as radio.

And the distinction between blame without constructive criticism is precisely to the point.

Thanks for your comments as always.

Terry

“Swallow the bile”…

In any profession, or job, therer are times when doing nothing speaks volumes. I feel if you are confident about yourself, and your work, and you realize that you are not perfect, and sometimes, you do, oh my god, make a mistake or an error … learn from it and move on. And the times that you are not in error, and someone decides to hammer you, take a step back, swallow the bile, and then move on!

Criticism and blame

Criticism is not a negative! It is only a negative when criticism is followed by blame, and no alternatives. I always have felt that if my work is criticized, and the person who criticized me, comes up with a different option or options, I have learned from the experience. That does not mean I will always accpet verbatim the options given, but I will listen and try my best to incorporate those options or opinions. Blame is a tactic used by naysayers with no ideas of their own, criticism and blame together are definitely at the top of my list for immediate …
“swallow the bile” … and move on!!!

Marshall