Catching Up or Leading the Way
Yong Zhao wrote a book called Catching Up or Leading the Way which discusses what American education is going through and decisions being made, versus what other countries, specifically China is doing/has done. We are moving more toward the Chinese model, and they (the Chinese) are working toward the American system. It is his theory that we are focusing too much on test scores and not enough on creativity (see also Daniel Pink’s theories…very interesting). I am also reading Diane Ravitch‘s book, The Death and Life of the Great American School System: How Testing and Choice Are Undermining Education. Diane Ravitch helped to design our NCLB program, and now she is drastically opposed.
The subjects of accountability, measuring teacher/school success, teaching to the test, and the elimination or decrease of creativity opportunities in the teaching curriculum are addressed in both books. It seems to me that rather than look only at test scores in our country and others, we should look at all of the variables. It is not simple; it is not a “black and white” issue and it should not be treated as such. Many variables should be considered; not just math and reading/writing.
Education has been criticized and restructured for over 100 years. It’s a good thing, for it keeps the education system current and constantly growing and changing. This is partially how we got to be the innovators that we are today. Creativity, freedom to think and experiment, curiosity. All voices need to be heard and included in on the decision-making process: businesses, politicians, families, students, and teachers.
I continue to read, to think, to innovate in my classroom, to evaluate, and to see the big picture. It takes more than math and reading to make a well-rounded person. Let’s not forget about the whole person, and what makes America what it is.
To end, here are two of my favorite Albert Einstein quotes:
- Imagination is more important than knowledge. — Albert Einstein
- “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.” (Sign hanging in Einstein’s office at Princeton)
