Finally! Thank you! A study confirming what we already know…

We, in America, need to raise the status of teachers.  So says the study discussed in today’s NY Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/16/education/16teachers.html. 

Instead, so much of what we do, lowers their status and we should not be surprised by the negative outcomes of that approach.

One place the status issue is ‘hot’ is in special education–though it is not discussed. The very concept of parents  ‘advocating’ for their children against the school–sets up a negative status for teachers. Teachers are (and were) the natural advocates for children they teach. I know that when I taught back in the 1960-s and 70-s, I viewed my role as an advocate for my students. It is time for us to get back to that truth, and in so doing, raise the status of teachers.

The very thought that we should have a due process hearing (or the threat of such a hearing) about whether the education plan proposed for the child by teachers and others–sets up a negative status for teachers. What other profession–Doctor? Lawyer? Architect? Car mechanic? Sales person? –endures the threat of litigation before they do their work? You guessed it, no other.

We can’t really be surprised–given these and many other policies–that we in America view teaching as a lower status profession

In South Korea, teachers are known as ‘nation builders.’ How different is that! We should head in that direction, instead of the one we are on.

Thank you for this study and let’s hope it has legs!