When TED shared in its Facebook feed Bryan Stevenson's talk, I saw the intricacy of the connection. When I sent it my friend's way, she did, too. We hit the tragic dichotomy in education similar to one eloquently described happening in our justice system. The system thinking of performance outcomes is at odds with an individual's identity.
Sometimes what is best for a system is not what is best for the individual.
And sometimes what is best for the individual defies what is best for the system.
Please watch Bryan Stevenson's TED Talk:
If a standard applies to a learning mind, there are no exceptions.
Every child’s mind is exceptional.
Therefore, standards do not apply universally to learning.
Hargis, A. (2013). How to change the future. Montessori Mischief. Retrieved from http://montessorimischief.com/how-to-change-the-future/
Stevenson, B. (2012) We need to talk about an injustice. TED Talks. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/bryan_stevenson_we_need_to_talk_about_an_injustice#
2 comments:
Thank you Della,
Once again you have provoked me out the stupor of my routine into a thought state. Your post makes me think of the nature of the individual relative to its collective(society). We are all one of a kind versions of Human 1.0. Your post reiterates the ludicrous nature of standardized testing as anything, but a journey to nowhere. In an age of individuality, I'd like to believe that education, at all levels, would have figured this out by now. Those calling for things to stay the same have bureaucratically closed the doors on what could be for what WAS, but should never be again. Keep on posting. You rock! W
Will, thank you. You have no idea how meaningful this is to read right now! Because those in power believe they are widening their birds-eye views, they keep on keeping on. However, the standard measure is tragically flawed. A standard will never be capable of measuring learning in a young mind. Standards are of industry, not intellect. We are doing harm which is a conclusion I cannot rationalize my way around.
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