A Reader Writes... (Ignorance or Worse - Part 1)

In response to the 4/20/2011 post, “A Reader Submits... Ignorance or Worse,” a teacher writes:

It sounds like the writer is describing "a good ol’ boy" district, which is a big problem in education, in my opinion. I think that we would be better off with some kind of civil service promotions for administrators than what we have with the present "who you know" system. I do not think that we can do worse than what we have with the current crop of administrators.

The blog post is great, but using terms like "bouncers" and "night clubs" does not impress me. It gives me some negative and somewhat unprofessional insight to the writer. Which is not much better than the discussed AP teachers. And I do fully agree that the described situation is irresponsible of the district as a whole.

SC Response

What a fun comment! No beating around the bush, which is the hallmark of the LYS Nation. First, you are right, the district in question is the worst kind of “good ol’ district.” I am loath to say that racism is a driving force in this district (I don’t have the ability to look into another person’s heart), but by their actions it is easy to surmise that they have predetermined who will have access to better resources and higher expectations for success and that children of color do not seem to meet their criteria. That districts are allowed to get away with such practices sullies the reputations of all of us and is one of the best arguments for accountability you can find.

Second, I will not argue that there are not bad administrators in schools, there are. I will not argue that the current system for picking administrators is effective and efficient, it is not. But the civil service model is not the way to go. I prefer the Brezina model, hire on potential – retain on performance. But not subjective performance, objective performance. Your team adds value, you stay. Your team subtracts value, you are on notice and the clock is ticking.

Third, I am sorry that you did not like the metaphor of “Bouncers and Night Clubs.” I have to own that, as they are my words. The intent was to illustrate that we must embrace inclusive practices and reject exclusive practices. But the fact that you found the metaphor distasteful means that I was somewhat successful. Personally, I find exclusionary practices and policies to be nauseating and beneath contempt.

Keep reading and keep writing.

Think. Work. Achieve.

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