Comments on: Trusting People Who Know Better http://verbalintent.com/2010/02/12/trusting-people-who-know-better/ A little bit truth... a little bit fiction. Tue, 22 Mar 2011 20:57:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Priscilla http://verbalintent.com/2010/02/12/trusting-people-who-know-better/comment-page-1/#comment-1528 Priscilla Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:06:14 +0000 http://verbalintent.com/?p=932#comment-1528 you're a wise old owl, kiki. does this mean that i can send my kids to a waldorf school if the teachers can successfully show my kids can meet the school standards? i do hope you say yes. :) you’re a wise old owl, kiki. does this mean that i can send my kids to a waldorf school if the teachers can successfully show my kids can meet the school standards? i do hope you say yes. :)

]]> By: Kristen http://verbalintent.com/2010/02/12/trusting-people-who-know-better/comment-page-1/#comment-1525 Kristen Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:22:40 +0000 http://verbalintent.com/?p=932#comment-1525 The sign of a good teacher, in the opinion of someone who has no Master's and has only taught for a year and a half, is showing progress and mastery of whatever set standard is already there. For classroom teachers, they should be showing that their students are meeting the standards set by the school district. For Intervention Teachers, students should be mastering IEP goals. For behavior specialists, showing the desired trend in frequency/ intensity of trargeted behaviors is the key. A good teacher knows the goals, takes students on the right path to meet the goal, and can demonstrate that kids have made those goals. The sign of a good teacher, in the opinion of someone who has no Master’s and has only taught for a year and a half, is showing progress and mastery of whatever set standard is already there. For classroom teachers, they should be showing that their students are meeting the standards set by the school district. For Intervention Teachers, students should be mastering IEP goals. For behavior specialists, showing the desired trend in frequency/ intensity of trargeted behaviors is the key. A good teacher knows the goals, takes students on the right path to meet the goal, and can demonstrate that kids have made those goals.

]]> By: Priscilla http://verbalintent.com/2010/02/12/trusting-people-who-know-better/comment-page-1/#comment-1523 Priscilla Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:10:16 +0000 http://verbalintent.com/?p=932#comment-1523 the reason that a masters degree or certification might have no direct impact on classroom effectiveness is because there are so many variables in achieving student success. this is why the the proposed legislation in many states to attach financial incentives to teachers whose kids test well is such a hot button. the teacher's education, expertise, temperament as well as the child's learning style, home life and possible learning disabilities all have an effect on the child's performance and test scores. then add in the funding of the school district and the attitude of the school board and you have a whole other set of variables effecting the kid's performance. i think what IS important though, is a standard for teachers, and in today's public educational system that includes advanced degrees and certification. it might soon involve test scores of the students as well. these standards alone might not prove a classroom will be successful because of how complex of an issue childhood education is, but a teacher who pushes through the tedious process of obtaining degrees and certification is showing motivation to succeed in the field of childhood education. it also shows a desire to be taken seriously by the industry, and that holds importance as well. all this to say, are there crappy teachers out there? yes. but the standards set up are not arbitrary, they help to weed out the good intentioned from the bad. the reason that a masters degree or certification might have no direct impact on classroom effectiveness is because there are so many variables in achieving student success. this is why the the proposed legislation in many states to attach financial incentives to teachers whose kids test well is such a hot button. the teacher’s education, expertise, temperament as well as the child’s learning style, home life and possible learning disabilities all have an effect on the child’s performance and test scores. then add in the funding of the school district and the attitude of the school board and you have a whole other set of variables effecting the kid’s performance.

i think what IS important though, is a standard for teachers, and in today’s public educational system that includes advanced degrees and certification. it might soon involve test scores of the students as well. these standards alone might not prove a classroom will be successful because of how complex of an issue childhood education is, but a teacher who pushes through the tedious process of obtaining degrees and certification is showing motivation to succeed in the field of childhood education. it also shows a desire to be taken seriously by the industry, and that holds importance as well.

all this to say, are there crappy teachers out there? yes. but the standards set up are not arbitrary, they help to weed out the good intentioned from the bad.

]]> By: Rob http://verbalintent.com/2010/02/12/trusting-people-who-know-better/comment-page-1/#comment-1521 Rob Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:10:20 +0000 http://verbalintent.com/?p=932#comment-1521 good points and all, Priscilla. I only disagree with the statement regarding teachers' education. As The Atlantic recently wrote: "a master’s degree in education seems to have no impact on classroom effectiveness." http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/201001/good-teaching/3 The piece shows that proven effectiveness is a good predictor of success, while education, not so much. So, bias your experts toward those who do (like Matt!), not those who study. good points and all, Priscilla. I only disagree with the statement regarding teachers’ education. As The Atlantic recently wrote: “a master’s degree in education seems to have no impact on classroom effectiveness.” http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/201001/good-teaching/3

The piece shows that proven effectiveness is a good predictor of success, while education, not so much. So, bias your experts toward those who do (like Matt!), not those who study.

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