I hate to call anyone dumb but, anyone who knows my sister would say that calling her dumb is being kind. Our last conversation was scary because too many people in this country share this dumb point of view.
Me: Do you believe that they want to rate teachers according to how well their students are doing on standardized tests?
Dumb Sister: What's wrong with that?
Me: Why would I ever volunteer to teach at risk kids if I know that my salary and my job depends on their success? I usually can make a difference, but, why would I take a chance?
Dumb Sister: If you are good, you wouldn't worry.
Me: Should a doctor want to be rated on how many patients he cures?
Dumb Sister: If the doctor has confidence in himself, why should he care?
Me: How about the Oncologist that only treats cancer patients? How many of those patients will he be unable to save? If doctors are going to be judged on their success rate, who will try to save the really sick ones?
Dumb Sister: Well, uhhh,.....ok.....I don't know.......
4 comments:
Loving the analogies. Thanks for the comment!
You zinged your sister with that last question about the oncologist. Good for you!
Ugh, I've had this conversation with relatives, too. They truly don't get what it's like to teach populations where abilities are all over the spectrum.
What's really going to be great in a couple of years is when teachers who are "successful" are moved to failing schools and are now suddenly "unsuccessful." Perhaps people will start to figure this crazy idea out.
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