I was actually surprised that the trend seems to be to include the community so much in developing systematic change. I actually do not agree with involving the community to a certain degree. I often feel that everyone feels they are an expert in education. How often are parents or communities critical of a teacher, administrator, or school without any true concept of the challenges, rules, and laws that schools and staff work under. I understand that taxes from communities support schools, at the same time getting the opinion of people who have specific agendas that may or may not be what is best for all kids of the community. I do understand that in order to get bonds past we must get the input of the community in order for them to have ownership, at the same time I feel that it is our job as professionals to educate the public of what is best for the education of the students.
The money involved with changing a school is also interesting. We are currently trying to change many things in the school I work for. The time and energy it will take to create these changes will be great. We have applied for a grant that will help support the initiatives but that is still money coming to us that could be going somewhere else. I often forget that schools have to be run like businesses and training staff and creating change does cost a lot of money. It is easy to sit back and be critical when changes aren't being made, at the same time I have to remember that difficult decisions are being made and I may not always be looking through the same lens as the person making the decision. I find it somewhat frustrating that finances control so much in schools and that schools are being forced to become more and more creative in ways to finance themselves and their programs that help the schools to be successful.
4 comments:
Matt,
I really enjoy reading your posts. You make such great points.
I see what you mean about not wanting so much input from the community. However, I currently am wondering if a business person would do a better job of getting things done (in my school), rather than a politician trying to please everyone. Sometimes I feel like administrators are so afraid of parents that kids are getting away with too much. I wonder if a more cut throat, bottom line person would do a better job by saying this is the change that we need and this is HOW it will happen.
I am not saying that should happen, I'm just wondering if situations would be better or worse?
Chrissy
Do you feel that parents and community members feel it is up to us the education professionals to create change and then presented at the board meetings for it to be shared with the public? I agree with you that community members should be involved to a certain degree. We are the ones that chose this as our profession and take it seriously.
I agree with the fact that we need to educate the community. Too many times those that have not been trained think and feel that they know better than those that are.
People also feel that because they are helping with bonds that they should be able to say what goes. But as I explained to the students at the university, I am part of the community and so are my colleagues and we also contribute. I try to get them to look deeper at the changes that are being suggested and what the real affects on their student will be.
Good Point, where is all this money going to come from when many school districts are strapped as it is. I know some have suggested that we put districts together and combine poor and wealthy districts. Pretty controversial stuff.
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