As election day draws near we hear all about freedom of choice and letting our voices be heard. Each of us can decide for ourselves who to vote for based on our personal beliefs and preferences. We are encouraged to participate in the democratic process and to exercise our constitutional right. While reading part four in Reading Essentials, I realized this same principle applies to our classroom reading programs. As teachers. we know our students better than any publishing company or packaged program designed to increase test scores ever will. "Never before in our history has so much federal money been set aside for prescribed programs," states Routman (p. 186). School districts spend enormous amounts of money on packaged programs, computer based programs, textbooks and supplemental reading materials every year. But what does all this money really buy? Are ours students becoming better readers because of a particular program?
I know throughout the years I have seen many reading incentive programs come and go. Students are rewarded for achieving personal reading goals with pizzas and prizes. School wide reading goals are celebrated with fanfare and media coverage. While Routman does not discourage using programs, she advises teachers to "use the program as a resource and beginning framework. See what works. You as the teacher need to become knowledgeable enough to pick and choose from a program, to adapt, and to change it." Here is the golden nugget of teaching. We as teachers know that our students are all different and have different needs. If a program is not working for our students then we must stop using it and find one that does. We must stand up to our administrators and district leaders and explain why the program is not successful and be able to offer better alternatives. Our own professional judgment is just as important as any "scientific" based evidence. We need to know which research is relevant and which to ignore. We need to beware of miracle programs that come with a hefty price tag. And we must intervene on behalf of our students instead of remaining at the mercy of politicians and policy makers that give our students far less than they deserve. Our voices and choices do matter. Go Vote!
There have been so many times that I have wanted to stand up and say that some of the things we are being told to do with our children are NOT working. As teachers, we know what works best and that is what we need to be doing. Text books do not know our individual students and cannot possibly know how to see them grow like we, as teachers,who work with them each and every day can. Our professional judgement is better than any "scientific" based evidence. Just saying..........
ReplyDeleteSometimes too much emphasis is put on the latest"fads". And you are right, teachers should be able to have a say and major input on what they see as being best for the students!
ReplyDeletePreach it! I just had a conversation with one of my coworkers (I taught third grade with her for years). She was lamenting the latest prepackaged program that our district has bought and how it prevents her from reading with any groups other than the lowest group. Folks- that is terrible!! Sigh!
ReplyDeleteYou are ALL SO RIGHT! Scientific based programs or blanket district programs are obviously not the answer. We are the teachers..we kmow our students and the needs of each one --low level and high level. #frustration
ReplyDeletePatrice,
ReplyDeleteAs always your writing is poignant and inspiring! I appreciate the way you've taken what you've thought about what you've read in Routman's work and made it relevant and applicable to what we are all facing today...voting in our recent election. I agree with you that we as educators have voices and we need to advocate to have opportunities to make important choices in the curriculum and instruction we provide to our students. Thanks, Dawn