Every day I read in the newspapers about
Standards. When I ask my 8 year old daughter, Lorraine’s teacher
“What is meant by standards?" I get an answer stating “that’s what
we need to meet by the end of the school year.” I then try my 11
year olds teacher. Again the answer seems evasive. I become
defensive because it seems as if the teachers are saying, “You’re
just a parent. Don’t be concerned about Standards. Those are tasks
for your children’s teachers."
Dr.Webb, I feel I can understand what Standards
are if they are properly explained. Please help.
J.M. Waltham
It would be my pleasure to explain what
Standards are. In the constitution of the United States there is no
Federal responsibility for the education of its children. Long
before that responsibility was turned over to the States. In
Massachusetts in colonial days each community was ordered to start a
school when there were 50 households developed . In the 1800’s
school committees were established in each community to monitor the
education of its children Massachusetts prided itself on its
individuality. So did every other community in our state. And so
those communities who highly valued education invested in their
schools. As monied folk moved from the cities to the suburbs the
cities were left with less money and less concern for their schools.
In the 1940’s a well recognized study showed these differences,
indicating that wealthy communities were investing substantially
more dollars in the education of its children than were poorer
communities. The differences showed in the achievement of children
in their respective achievements. Parents were upset by the
unfairness of the unequal opportunities in their respective
communities. In turn they cried out to their legislators to equalize
their children’s educational opportunities. What had happened in
Massachusetts was true in many other states.
In an attempt to reach fairness, in 1992 the
Massachusetts legislature passed the Education Reform Act. The
Federal government was asked for help. As one accepts help from a
grantor one also gives power to the grantor. The Federal government
became more and more interested in remedying the inequalities across
our nation. So we reached the problem of your concern, to
Standards.
So what are Standards? According to Webster’s
Dictionary, Standards are a place to stop, a place to stand, a
banner, a figure adopted as an emblem (the eagle was the standard of
the Roman legion), a personal flag of the ruler of the state, a
measure of quantity, extent value or quality. The last part of that
definition is nearest our use of Standards. It is an attempt to
improve and equalize the education of all our children by setting
educational standards. As you’ve heard our president say, “so that
no child is left behind.” Most relevantly, when Standards are
instituted, testing is instituted to measure accomplishments in
classrooms and in schools.
Some teachers feel very pressured about this
testing, think they are being measured personally and perhaps that
is the reason they did not wish to talk about it to you. I believe
parents can understand and should be given this information. May I
suggest a PTA meeting of parents and teachers to be given such an
opportunity. Speak to your PTA board AND OFFER YOUR HELP.
Good luck Hope this helps.
GMW