Where's the Rigor?

The Educator's newspaper, "Education Week" is one of my favorite periodicals. It opens the door to what is going on in education across the nation and even in other countries. As I read, it seems there is one common theme in all the essays, be it a topic on Writing, Science or Charter Schools, etc. The bottom line seems to really be, "Where's the rigor"?

For instance, a few months ago, there was a wonderful article about how students do not understand the writing process anymore. I was so excited about that article, because I agreed wholeheartedly, I had to post it in the teacher's lounge so others could read it. Our school had very poor standardized writing test scores last year in third grade and in fifth grade, where the students are assessed. As a result, teachers are having to attend workshops, and re-learn how to teach the writing process. It seems that how we were taught to teach writing was wrong, and we, as teachers have been doing it wrong for so long. We were told to forget about the 5 paragraph essay. We no longer are teaching paragraph writing that way anymore. I guess all I can say to that is "I not only learned how to write an essay, but I also learned as a child, parts of speech, diagramming sentence structures, creative writing, and even how to spell words, and cursive writing as well.

To go a step further, what is wrong with rote learning? There are times children need to just memorize because eventually it will make sense. I liken this to a child and a parent, "Just do as your told." The child will understand the wisdom behind the request later. Rigor is when a child's processing skills are challenged. Are we challenging them or are we spoon feeding them in order to attain annual yearly progress? Some say we don't have time to challenge kids, because we need to teach to the test. For example, as a social studies teacher, I would love to move deeper into the people, places and events I am required to teach. However, the SS curriculum chart tells me, two weeks, then move on! Again, where is the rigor an d do we even have time for rigor? Why do we need rigor when each state achievement test is a "basic" test? Our standardized tests aren't even asking students for rigor. All we want is the basic....Kind of like, a new car without any frills...It works and will get you where you want to go, but for how long? On the other hand, if the tests were challenging and students had to think deeply, critically and even had to keep a portfolio of some sort...Now, that would be the kind of "car" I'd buy.....the one with the rigorous horsepower. the one that gets better with time, and even more valuable....Yeah, That's where the rigor is....So, what do you think about all this?

Renni Wooden

Leadership Qualities

Some of you may feel that leadership qualities may not actually be a critical issue in education. However, as a teacher whose taught at 5 different schools, I've experienced several different leadership styles in the principals I've worked for.

Some principals I've worked for were past coaches, and dealt with the leadership as managers. Other principals were instructional leaders, where they incorporated professional development opportunities for teachers whenever possible. In my blogging opinion, there seems to be a need for transformational leadership in most schools these days. Why? Because most schools are going through transformations from smaller learning academies in High Schools to Special Education collaboration with regular education teachers.

Leadership is not what it used to be in education. Principals cannot isolate themselves from students, teachers or parents these days. They must work side by side their assistants and finding ways for teachers to be more effective and be a part of the data disaggregation.

Teachers who are dynamic and "on-fire" about what they do with students need to be supported by their administrators, rather than squelched. Strong leaders encourage innovations rather than feel threatened by them. What do you think? What is your take on effective leadership? Have any stories to tell out there?

Renni Wooden