Blog Post #14

Joel Klein has a vision for the future of schools and the educators that make up a school system. In his article Teaching Our Children Can Be a Profession he explains the issues that are apparent in our current United States school system. He also provides solutions that would help the system become a more successful and efficient one. Although many of his propositions seem drastic, he makes many valid points and he presents solutions that may help the education system.

• Problem 1: Educators have a lack of knowledge with academic programs, which results in ineffective teaching.
• Solution: Better academic training for prospective teachers.

• Problem 2: Teachers are able to teach if they simply obtain a college degree.
• Solution: The system should be more competitive, recruiters should only hire from the top third of every graduating class.

• Problem 3: Teachers with more experience are often chosen over newer teachers.
• Solution: Seniority shouldn't matter, teachers should be picked only because of their excellence not because of their experience. 

• Problem 4: Teachers do not respect their career position as a professional position.
• Solution: Teachers should have control over the standards to ensure "incompetent" teachers are "removed" 

• Problem 5: Promotions occur through time, not through achievement.
• Solution: Promotions should be granted to those who have shown great achievement and results through their teaching. 

Out of all of Klein's problems and their solutions the one that I find the hardest time agreeing with is Problem 2, I disagree that it is a problem that teachers are able to selected for hiring if they have their degree. I dint think this is a problem. Interview processes are a tool used to sift through teachers who aren't up to standard. I believe the solution of only hiring the top third of the graduating class is unfair. I fully believe a person's Grade Point Average is not an accurate criteria in determining whether or not a person can be a powerful and influential educator.