So, continuing on the subject of teaching as a profession… To make a clearer analogy, if we tutor a child in a subject, we give an evaluation to understand the child’s knowledge level and distance needed to attain grade level or higher. If, as a parent, you are paying a tutor, you want your child taught according to what would benefit him or her, not necessarily in the manner the previous student was taught. In other words, there’s no “one size fits all” lesson plan.
The same holds true for each classroom, given multiple variables. Students are evaluated, and a plan to accommodate those students takes shape—each classroom in its own unique configuration. We may have groups, varying expectations, or different grading accommodations, etc.
If teachers are expected to teach the same principle the exact same way—including materials—to each student or class, we have once again negated the professionalism of teachers. There is no “one size fits all” in teaching—and there’s also no one way to teach. The variety is essential—who would want to learn the same way in every class anyway!
Those are the expectations present in our schools. Subject and grade levels must plan together to teach the same concepts at the same time with identical materials. Teachers are not given the latitude to teach, to practice and perfect the art of teaching.
Our children are paying the price.
Designs on Life 