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- 03-15-2011
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Opinion by Pedro Noguera/New York Times
Pedro Noguera, a sociologist, is the Peter L. Agnew Professor of Education at New York University and the executive director of the Metropolitan Center for Urban Education.
The recent attacks on teachers can be traced to the convergence of three distinct but related trends: continuing concerns about the lagging academic performance of American students, a belief among policymakers and some foundations that firing "bad" teachers would lead to significant improvements in student achievement, and a desire among lawmakers to balance state budgets by reducing financial commitments to the pensions, salaries and benefits of public employees, particularly teachers. There have also been a number of high profile news stories and movies ("Waiting for Superman") that have reinforced the idea that the prevalence of bad teachers is at the root of America's education problem. What is most troubling and dangerous about this convergence is that it is drowning out a rational analysis of what should be done to support and invigorate the teaching profession in the United States. (more...)
Also: New York Times
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