Content Knowledge

1. Disciplinary Lenses

"Disciplines are not collections of certified facts; rather, they are lenses through which we look at the world and interpret it......they orient our attention to specific questions about the world...and provide us with standards for what counts as viable answers to such questions." (Boix Mansilla, Gardner and Miller, On Disciplinary Lenses and Interdisciplinary Work).

What is one specific way that your content research (math, science, history, non-fiction, literature, writing, art, modern languages, physical education) thus far has caused you to re-think about an idea, or question, or caused you to challenge assumptions that you had previously not considered-or-even pushed you further in your thinking? Discuss.

My content research thus far has caused me to re-think, question, and challenge assumptions about autism. In particular, the three primary sources I have found thus far (Twirling naked in the streets and no one noticed: growing up with undiagnosed autism by Jeannie Davide-Rivera, Look me in the eye my life with Asperger’s by John Elder Robison, and Temple Grandin’s TEDtalk The world needs all kinds of minds) have really changed the way I think about autism. All of these primary sources gave me great insight into autism from the point of view of someone on the autism spectrum. In particular, I found it really interesting to read both Davide-Rivera and Robison’s memoirs, as both of these remarkable individuals lived with undiagnosed autism until late adulthood. I think that often as educators, and other professionals who work with autistic individuals, we see autism as a special need or a disability and not for the strengths and remarkable gifts that those on the spectrum possess. This idea is additionally reiterated through Temple Grandin’s talk where she explains the way her mind works, “thinking in pictures”, and how it allows her to solve problems that many people not on the spectrum do not notice. Gradin also asserts that the world needs people on the autism spectrum as they possess different ways of thinking that make them extremely gifted and often specialized for important tasks and jobs.

         
My research has also made me realize an unfortunate truth, which is that many educators, such as myself, do not know enough about the autism spectrum to feel confident in the way in which they accommodate students on the spectrum in their classroom. The research shows that many teachers express a concern about their self-efficacy and motivation to teach students on the autism spectrum. Additional findings show that many teachers in the general education classroom do not believe it is their job to educate these students on the autism spectrum. I have a heavy heart as I read these studies that express these negative, pessimistic attitudes that many teachers have toward the autistic students assigned to their classes. I additionally feel that many of these feelings could be changed if teacher preparation programs, as one research article I found suggests, expressed teaching and accommodating the strengths and needs of autistic students in an inclusive education environment as a very accomplishable and rewarding endeavor.

2. The Death and Life of the Great American School System, Diane Ravitch

·       How do you think the Common Core standards might fit in this narrative of school reform

The Common Core standards are aimed to give students skills and thinking processes that prepare them for the real world. The skills emphasized in the new Common Core standards are meant to be practical and applicable skills that have a use beyond the classroom. I think that the Common Core standards are a step in the right direction to a reform that focuses more on practical skills and less on the straight memorization and regurgitation of facts.

I think that in the long run, Common Core standards will be just another plot point in the narrative of school reform. Inevitably, these standards will be readjusted, reworded, or replaced as they will not be the magic fix to raise test scores or close the achievement gap just as none of the previous reforms have been able to either. I believe that while Common Core standards sound like a positive change from the standards we have become accustomed to in California, the pendulum will swing back from the process-focused Common Core back to the rigid must-know skills that the current standards focus on. I think that until reform focuses on the bigger picture and bigger issues, changes such as the implementation of Common Core standards will continue to be fads that we see come in and fade out. 

·       In Chapter 9, Ravitch says critics argue schools would improve if unions ceased to exist.

"Let's start with the hardest question: should teachers' unions exist? Do the protections they offer their members depress student achievement? Are they an "adult interest group," as their critics charge, whose priorities conflict with the needs of their students? Would schools improve if there were no unions to represent the teachers?" (Ravitch 173)

• What argument does she present based on available research? What do you think?  

Ravitch presents a range of perspectives on teachers unions based on available research. Ravitch discusses how teachers unions came about, and explains that one reason that teachers began to join unions was “to protect their right to think, speak, and teach without fear,” (174).  She discusses how teachers have historically been underpaid and many teachers joined unions to seek higher pay and better working conditions. 

A solid point made by Ravitch on page 175 states, “one would think, by reading the critics, that the nation’s schools are overrun by incompetent teachers who hold their jobs only because of union protections, that unions are directly responsible for poor student performance, and that academic achievement would soar if the unions were to disappear. This is unfair. No one, to my knowledge has demonstrated clear, indisputable correlation between teacher unionism and academic achievement, either negative or positive.”

The chapter continues on with Ravitch making solid points from the perspective of union critics, with a discussion of how tenure works and how unions makes it more difficult to dismiss some incompetent teachers from their job. I agree with her statement that because unions are not going to disappear, “district officials should collaborate with them to develop a fair and expeditious process for removing incompetent teachers rather than using the union as a scapegoat for low performance or for the conditions in the school and society that are beyond the teachers’ control,” (176). 

Overall, it is hard to formulate my own opinions on teachers unions, as I am only a recent credential graduate and am yet to complete my first year teaching. I believe that a great deal of my opinion on unions will be formulated with experience. However, from reading this chapter as well as doing my own research on the topic, I see where both sides are coming from on the issues. I think it is unfair for teachers to have to fear their job due to things beyond their control such as low test scores due to circumstance (demographic factors, school conditions, etc.). At the same time, I do not think it is right for incompetent or ineffective teachers to continue to teach year after year if they are not benefiting their students. I understand that in the teaching profession, as it stands today, many teachers feel that in order to protect themselves and their job they need to be a part of a union. In fact, many school districts require their teachers to join a union. However, I think that these unions and the school districts need to find a common ground and work together in order to do what is best for the greater goal—student learning. 

I found a great deal of information and opinions about teachers unions online. I have included the links to some interesting nformation I found for anyone who is interested in checking them out.

http://www.edutopia.org/are-teacher-unions-problem (Teacher Unions)

http://teachertenure.procon.org/ (Pros and Cons of tenure)

http://www.publicschoolreview.com/articles/429 (History of teacher unions and pros/cons)

Blogs I have responded to:

1. April Klassen
2. Taylor Franceschi